Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Blonanserin Transdermal Patches in Japanese Patients with Schizophrenia: A 52-Week Open-Label, Multicenter Study

Blonanserin transdermal patch therapy is now available in Japan for the treatment of schizophrenia and may provide several advantages over the tablet formulation. The aim was to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of blonanserin transdermal patches in Japanese patients with schizophrenia. An open-label study was conducted in adults with schizophrenia at 37 sites in Japan. Patients were enrolled in either cohort 1 or 2. Patients in cohort 1 received 8-16 mg/day blonanserin tablets for 6 weeks and then 40-80 mg/day blonanserin patches for 52 weeks. The dose of blonanserin patches was determined according to the dose of the tablets. In cohort 2, every patient started from 40 mg/day and then 40-80 mg/day blonanserin transdermal patches for 52 weeks. Both cohorts had 1-2 weeks of follow-up. Safety endpoints included the incidence of adverse events (AEs), treatment-related AEs, extrapyramidal AEs [also assessed using the change in Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale (DIEPSS) score], the use of any concomitant antiparkinsonian drugs, and skin-related AEs, including skin irritation. Patients also underwent assessment of laboratory values including for serum prolactin concentration, vital signs, body weight, electrocardiog...Continue Reading