Switching patients from olanzapine or risperidone to a combination treatment using perphenazine plus buspirone: evaluation of antipsychotic efficacy and side-effects, including extrapyramidal effects and weight loss.

In this pilot study, we have investigated the effects of switching from olanzapine or risperidone treatment to low-dose perphenazine combined with buspirone in six schizophrenic patients who had experienced weight gain. We found no relapse as to psychotic symptoms measured by the CGI-S scale and no exacerbation of extrapyramidal side-effects as measured by the Simpson-Angus Scale. In addition, we observed a medium weight reduction of 10.5 kg (range 1-20 kg).