Comparative evaluation of efficacy and safety of aripiprazole versus amisulpiride as add on therapy to olanzapine in partial responders of schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective: Many newer agents are proposed as adjunctive therapy to olanzapine for better treatment of schizophrenia. Therefore present study is planned to compare efficacy, tolerability & safety profile of olanzapine plus aripiperazole versus olanzapine plus amisulpiride combination in schizophrenic patients partially responded to olanzapine monotherapy. Material and Methods: This is a longitudinal, prospective, randomized comparative study conducted in department of pharmacology and out patients of psychiatry in J.A. group of hospitals, Gajra Raja Medical College, Gwalior, M.P.from February 2018 to March 2019 after seeking Institutional ethics committee approval. Total 112 diagnosed cases of schizophrenia who were partial responders to olanzapine monotherapy were chosen for the study. Patients were divided into two groups randomly. Group I(n=54)received olanzapine(20 mg) in combination with aripiprazole(10mg) and Group II (n=58)received olanzapine(20mg) with amisulpiride (100mg) orally for 8 weeks. Effectiveness was assessed by change in Positive and Negative Symptom Scale Score (PANSS) & Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) score at 4th and 8th week as compared to baseline values.Safety was assessed by recording adverse effects during treatment period. Results: 45 patients in each group completed the study. On 8th week , percentage change in mean PANSS score from baseline was 41.6%and 34% in group I and group II respectively and was significant (P<0.05)as compared to baseline values. On Inter group comparison difference was not statically significant (P>0.05).Olanzapine with aripiprazolecombination therapy showed 54% improvement in CGI-I scale and was significant (P < 0.05)as compared to 40% change with olanzapine and amisulpiride combination therapy. Aripiparazole add on therapy has shown less adverse effects to that of amisulpiride. Conclusion: Aripiprazoleas add on therapy to olanzapine has shown better efficacy safety and tolerability than that of amisulpiride.