A comparative study of aripiprazole and risperidone in the treatment of female schizophrenia

Objective To compare the efficacy and side effects of aripiprazole and risperidone in the treatment of female schizophrenics.Methods 62 patients with female schizophrenics were randomly assigned to receive either aripiprazole group(n=31) or risperidone group(n=31).The therpeutic period was eghit weeks.Study used positive and negative symptoms scale(PANSS) were used to evaluate the efficacy and the treatment emergent symptoms scale to evaluate the safety.Results There were no significant differences between aripiprazole group and risperidone group in improved rate(87.10% and 90.32%).Aripiprazole group side effects less than risperidone group(P0.05).Conclusion Aripiprazole has similar efficacy as risperidone in treatment of female schizophrenic patients,with lighter side effects,less likely to cause weight gain and endocrine disorders.