A head-to-head comparison of aripiprazole and risperidone for safety and treating
autistic disorders, a randomized double blind clinical trial.
Author(s): Ghanizadeh A(1), Sahraeizadeh A, Berk M.
Affiliation(s): Author information:
(1)School of Medicine, Research Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shiraz, Iran,
ghanizadeha@hotmail.com.
Publication date & source: 2014, Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. , 45(2):185-92
Aripiprazole and risperidone are the only FDA approved medications for treating
irritability in autistic disorder, however there are no head-to-head data
comparing these agents. This is the first prospective randomized clinical trial
comparing the safety and efficacy of these two medications in patients with
autism spectrum disorders. Fifty nine children and adolescents with autism
spectrum disorders were randomized to receive either aripiprazole or risperidone
for 2 months. The primary outcome measure was change in Aberrant Behavior
Checklist (ABC) scores. Adverse events were assessed. Aripiprazole as well as
risperidone lowered ABC scores during 2 months. The rates of adverse effects were
not significantly different between the two groups. The safety and efficacy of
aripiprazole (mean dose 5.5 mg/day) and risperidone (mean dose 1.12 mg/day) were
comparable. The choice between these two medications should be on the basis of
clinical equipoise considering the patient's preference and clinical profile.
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