Sex differences in antipsychotic efficacy and side effects in schizophrenia spectrum disorder: results from the BeSt InTro study

• DOI: 10.1038/s41537-021-00170-3
• Publication Date: 2021-08-18T10:14:09Z
• Authors: Sanne Hoekstra; Christoffer Bartz...; Igne Sinkeviciute; Solveig K. Reitan; Rune A. Kroken; Else-Marie Løberg; Tor K. Larsen; Maria Rettenbacher; Erik Johnsen; Iris E. Sommer
• Keywords: Amisulpride; Aripiprazole; Ziprasidone; Tolerability; Sulpiride

Abstract Current guidelines for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disease do not take sex differences into account, which may result in inappropriate sex-specific treatment. In the BeSt InTro study, a total of 144 (93 men and 51 women) diagnosis ongoing psychosis were included randomized to amisulpride, aripiprazole, or olanzapine flexible dose. This trial is registered ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01446328). Primary outcomes dose, dose-corrected serum levels, efficacy, tolerability. Dosing was higher than women aripiprazole group ( p = 0.025) and, at trend level, 0.056). Dose-corrected levels 71.9% amisulpride 0.019) 55.8% 0.049). group, had faster decrease psychotic symptoms 0.003). Moreover, more effective other medications but women. Prolactin men, especially < 0.001). Also, BMI increase on compared two antipsychotics We conclude that clinicians should be aware risks overdosing women, aripiprazole. Amisulpride highly showed severe side effects thus drug first choice. Our study shows taken account future studies antipsychotics. Future research warranted evaluate these preliminary results.