Safety and effectiveness of oral blonanserin for schizophrenia in adolescents in China: Data from a 12-week post-marketing surveillance

Background and objectives

Blonanserin is a second-generation antipsychotic (SGA)for the treatment of schizophrenia and has been approved for use in Japan, South Korea and China. This analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of blonanserin in Chinese adolescent patients, using data from a post-marketing surveillance of blonanserin started in September 2018.

Methods

A 12-week, prospective, multi-center, open-label post-marketing surveillance was conducted. Patients in this analysis were stratified by age.

Results

78 patients with schizophrenia aged < 18 years were included. The incidence of adverse drug reactions in adolescent patients was 33.3% significantly higher than patients over 40 years old. After 12-week treatment, 8.1% of adolescent patients had a weight gain ≥ 7%, and it was not significantly different from other age groups. Mean Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) total score was significantly reduced at week 12, and the decline of anergia score and thought disturbance score of adolescent patients was significantly greater than in adults.

Conclusions

Blonanserin was well tolerated and effective in the treatment of schizophrenia in Chinese adolescent patients in real-world clinical practice. Blonanserin might be a reasonable choice for the treatment of schizophrenia in adolescent patients.