Ziprasidone ['Geodon'] is as effective as risperidone ['Risperdal'], but has a more favourable tolerability profile, according to a study presented at the 156th Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association [San Francisco, US; May 2003]. In this study, the first double-blind direct comparison of the two atypical antipsychotics, treatment with either ziprasidone or risperidone for up to 1 year provided"robust"and durable improvements in symptoms, with no significant differences between the two drugs in primary and secondary efficacy measures. However, patients treated with risperidone experienced significantly greater overall discomfort due to movement disorders and had higher incidences of weight gain and elevated prolactin levels than ziprasidone recipients."These findings of comparable efficacy but better tolerability with ziprasidone versus risperidone carry implications for therapeutic adherence and long-term successful outcomes,"commented the researchers. In other presentations, switching to ziprasidone from risperidone, olanzapine ['Zyprexa'], or conventional antipsychotics was shown to provide improvements in social functioning and negative symptoms, suggesting the potential for improved outcomes and quality of life.