A non-randomized, open study with aripiprazole and ziprasidone for the treatment of aggressive behavior in youth in a community clinic.

Forty-six patients (36 male, mean age 11.9 +/- 2.6) with a variety of diagnoses and with significant aggressive behavior were treated in an open, non-randomized fashion with Aripiprazole or Ziprasidone. Patients were diagnosed with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and the Child/Adolescent Symptom Inventory. The primary outcome measure was the Overt Aggression Scale (OAS). After 2 months, 34 patients were still in treatment. The average improvement of the OAS in these 34 patients was 63%. Clinical Global Impression-Improvement Scale was 2.1 +/- 1.2. Neither at baseline, nor at 2 months, were there any statistically significant differences between the Aripiprazole and Ziprasidone groups. Sedation was the most common side effect.