Tiapride is more effective and causes fewer adverse effects than risperidone in the treatment of senile dementia.

We wanted to compare the effects of tiapride and risperidone in treating behavioral and psychological symptoms of senile dementia.

108 patients with senile dementia received respective treatments (54 patients per treatment, either with 100 mg/day risperidone or 2.0 mg tiapride/day) for 2 months. Outcomes included the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) scores, the curative rate of senile dementia, and prevalence of adverse effects (somnolence, headache, loss of weight, extrapyramidal system response, irritation and insomnia).

PANSS scores before treatment were comparable between treatment groups. On days 7, 15, 30, and 60 of the treatment, the differences between two treatment groups became evident. Thus, curative rates in patients treated with risperidone were 74.1% and in those treated with tiapride 88.9% (p < 0.05). Prevalence of adverse reactions was significantly lower in the latter group (9.3% vs. 25.9% in patients treated with risperidone; p < 0.05).

Tiapride is more effective in improving clinical symptoms of senile dementia and causes fewer adverse effects.