Efficacy and acceptability of three prolactin-sparing antipsychotics in patient with schizophrenia: a network meta-analysis

<b>Background:</b> The present study aimed to systematically evaluate three prolactin-sparing antipsychotics for treating schizophrenia. <b>Methods:</b> We performed a meta-analysis of three prolactin-sparing antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia. Endpoints of interest were the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) and acceptability (all cause discontinuation). <b>Results:</b> A total of 12 trials (2,723 patients) and three drugs (aripiprazole, quetiapine, and ziprasidone) were included. On the PANSS scale, aripiprazole (mean difference [MD]: −6.98, 95% CrI: −12.35, −1.38) was statistically more effective than placebo. When assessed by BPRS, aripiprazole (MD: −9.01, 95% CrI: −15.81, −3.12), quetiapine (MD: −7.13, 95% CrI: −9.78, −4.29) and ziprasidone (MD: −4.97, 95% CrI: 9.96, −0.21) had greater efficacy, when compared to placebo. Regarding CGI-S, quetiapine (MD: −0.55, 95% CrI: −0.82, −0.25) was significantly superior to placebo. In terms of acceptability, aripiprazole (OR: 0.54, 95% CrI: 0.41, 0.73), quetiapine (OR: 0.49, 95% CrI: 0.36, 0.68) and ziprasidone (OR: 0.68, 95% CrI: 0.48, 0.96) were more acceptable than placebo. The benefit risk analysis revealed that quetiapine has the best efficacy and acceptability profile among the three prolactin-sparing antipsychotics. <b>Conclusions:</b> Quetiapine may offer an optimal benefit-risk balance when a prolactin-sparing antipsychotic is indicated.