Aripiprazole versus olanzapine in the treatment of schizophrenia: a clinical study from India

The aim of the study was to compare efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole with olanzapine in the short-term treatment of schizophrenia in an Indian population.

This was a randomized double-blind controlled study comparing aripiprazole and olanzapine in the treatment of individuals with schizophrenia in an inpatient clinical setting. Sixty subjects between 18 and 65 years of age, who fulfilled the ICD-10 criteria for schizophrenia, were enrolled. Patients' detailed demographic and clinical evaluation was conducted and they were administered efficacy assessment scales (BPRS, PANSS) and safety assessments scale (Simpson Angus Scale, UKU side effect rating scale) at regular intervals of 1 week each throughout the study. The laboratory tests (complete haemogram, electrocardiogram (ECG), lipid profile, liver and renal function tests) were conducted at baseline and after 1-week intervals until 6 weeks of treatment. The patients were randomly allocated to receive either aripiprazole or olanzapine.

Both aripiprazole and olanzapine led to significant reductions on BPRS and PANSS total score over a period of 6 weeks. Weight gain was observed more frequently in the olanzapine-treated group (22.20%) as compared to aripiprazole (7.70%). More patients in the aripiprazole treatment group required comedications (trihexiphenidyl and lorazepam) than olanzapine recipients.

This study demonstrates that aripiprazole is equally efficacious as olanzapine in the treatment of schizophrenia. Aripiprazole has a more benign side effect profile (weight gain, blood sugar level, lipid profile) as compared to olanzapine in the short-term treatment of schizophrenia. This study is the first in an Indian population to have compared aripiprazole and olanzapine.