Effectiveness of blonanserin for patients with drug treatment-resistant schizophrenia and dopamine supersensitivity: A retrospective analysis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Dopamine supersensitivity psychosis (DSP) is one of the key factors contributing to the development of antipsychotic treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). We investigated the efficacy of blonanserin, an atypical antipsychotic, for patients with TRS and DSP.

METHODS:

In this 12-month retrospective follow-up study, we investigated the cases of eight consecutive patients with unstable TRS and DSP treated with blonanserin as an add-on therapy. We examined changes in scores for the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness (CGI-S) scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF) during the 12 months after the administration of blonanserin.

RESULTS:

The patients' total scores on the BPRS and GAF scores were significantly improved by 3 months at the latest. Positive BPRS and CGI-S scores were also improved by 6 months at the latest. The total chlorpromazine-equivalent doses of antipsychotics were significantly reduced from 1462.3±499.6mg to 794.1±642.8mg (p=0.001) after 12 months of blonanserin treatment, with a favorable safety and tolerability profile.

CONCLUSIONS:

Blonanserin may be a promising antipsychotic for the treatment of TRS and DSP.

• Authors: Masumi Tachibana, Tomihisa Niitsu, Motoki Watanabe, Tasuku Hashimoto, Nobuhisa Kanahara, Masatomo Ishikawa, Masaomi Iyo
• Journal: Asian journal of psychiatry (Asian J Psychiatr) Vol. 24 Pg. 28-32 (Dec 2016) ISSN: 1876-2026 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 27931902 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antipsychotic Agents
• Piperazines
• Piperidines
• blonanserin
• Dopamine

Topics

• Adult
• Antipsychotic Agents (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale
• Dopamine (adverse effects)
• Drug Resistance
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Outcome Assessment, Health Care
• Piperazines (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Piperidines (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Retrospective Studies
• Schizophrenia (drug therapy)