Comparative efficacy of amisulpride and risperidone in schizophrenia with predominantly negative symptoms: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Negative symptoms are core components of schizophrenia and can cause significant long-term functional handicap, severely impair the quality of life of both the patient and the caregivers and place a substantial burden on society. There are only a handful of studies comparing the efficacy of amisulpride and risperidone in schizophrenia with predominantly negative symptoms. Materials and Methods: This single-center, single-blind, randomized 90-day long clinical trial enrolled 64 patients who received either amisulpride (150-300 mg/day) or risperidone (4–8 mg/day) for 90 days. The Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS), and Clinical Global Impression- Schizophrenia Scale (CHI-SCH) scales were used to assess patients. Results: There were significant declines in all three scale scores over the trial period of 90 days. There was no significant difference between the two groups in SANS, PANSS, and CGI-SCH scores at baseline, day 30, and day 90 of the trial. The higher proportion of patients on amisulpride showed a 30% and 50% score decline at day 30; but on day 90, both groups showed a similar proportion of declines. Conclusion: Amisulpride and risperidone showed similar efficacy at 90 days in schizophrenia patients with predominantly negative symptoms.