Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of
blonanserin in patients with schizophrenia.
Methods: Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane
Library, Embase) were searched. Studies evaluating the efficacy and safety
of blonanserin in treating schizophrenia were inclued. The combined
effect sizes were calculated using relative risk (RR), risk difference (RD)
or mean difference (MD).
Results: Overall, 13 prospective studies involving 2,479 patients with
schizophrenia were summarised and analysed. We selected five
commonly used antipsychotic drugs, namely haloperidol, risperidone,
olanzapine, paliperidone and aripiprazole. The meta-analysis showed
that compared with a placebo, blonanserin significantly improved
the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total scores (MD:
-7.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -15.56, -0.26) and positive scores
(MD: -2.48; 95% CI: -4.79, -0.18), and it was comparable with other
antipsychotic drugs regarding PANSS total scores, positive scores and
general psychopathology scores. Additionally, the difference between
blonanserin and haloperidol (MD: -0.75; 95% CI: -1.00, -0.50) on PANSS
negative score changes was statistically significant. At the same time, the
safety analysis revealed that compared with risperidone, blonanserin
was associated with a lower risk of increased blood prolactin (RR: 0.66;
95% CI: 0.51, 0.86), hyperprolactinaemia (RR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.78)
and weight gain (RD: -0.04; 95% CI: -0.07, -0.01) as well as a higher risk
of akathisia (RD: 0.10; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.17). Moreover, it exhibited effects
similar to those of other antipsychotic drugs regarding constipation,
dizziness, headache, insomnia, muscle rigidity and hypersalivation.
Conclusion: Blonanserin is effective and safe in the treatment of
schizophrenia, which is beneficial for guiding the clinical practice of
schizophrenia treatment. However, more high-quality studies are
needed in the future to validate its effect.
Keywords: Blonanserin, meta-analysis, schizophrenia