Abstract: AIM: To study the efficacy on first-episode acute schizophrenia treated with aripiprazole and olanzapine and the effect on plasma prolactin level. METHODS: 65 inpatients with first-episode acute schizophrenia were divided into either olanzapine group[n=42, M21, F21; age(23.9±6.6)year] or aripiprazole group[(n=23, M11, F12; age(23.7±7.2)year] for 4 week treatment. The plasma prolactin level, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS) and clinical global impression-global improvement(CGI-I) were measured before and after 4 week treatment. RESULTS: The score of PANSS (59±13)after therapy in olanzapine group was significantly lower than that before therapy (103±15) (P<0.01). The score of PANSS (60±18)after therapy in aripiprazole group was significantly lower than that before therapy (101±13) (P<0.01). After therapy, there was no significant difference(P>0.05) in the CGI-I score between the two groups.The difference of negative symptoms and general psychopathological sub-scale scores changing from base to end between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.01). Compared with the prolactin baseline level (547±382) uIu/mL,the plasma prolactin level (418±362) uIu/mL in olanzapine group was significantly decreased after treatment,and there was no difference. Compared with the prolactin baseline level (351±299) uIu/mL, the plasma prolactin level (123±114) uIu/mL in aripiprazole group was significantly decreased after treatment,and there was significant difference(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effects were similar in the aripiprazole and olanzapine group for first-episode acute schizophrenia.Olanzapine is better for the general psychopathological symptoms,and aripiprazole is better for the negative symptoms.Aripiprazole maybe decrease the plasma prolactin level of first-episode acute schizophrenia.

Key words: Aripiprazole, Olanzapine, First-episode schizophrenia, Prolactin