Abstract
Antipsychotic medications are important for the successful management of schizophrenia. Continuous treatment with medication is superior in relapse prevention and non-adherence to antipsychotic medication is associated with a poor clinical outcome. Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) that can guarantee adherence to a treatment regimen could be a useful treatment option. With the introduction of second-generation atypical antipsychotics-long acting injection (SGA-LAI), the risks for extrapyramidal adverse events are decreased. The indications for SGA-LAI have been extended from chronic, stabilized patients to acute psychotic patients. Some studies investigated the use of LAI in first-episode schizophrenia patients and raised the possibility of prescribing LAI as a treatment option. However, there is still limited research using LAI in first-episode schizophrenia. More well-designed, randomized, controlled clinical trials using SGA-LAIs in first episode schizophrenia are needed. Additionally, studies on side effects of SGA-LAI in long-term use are required prior to recommending LAI for patients with first episode schizophrenia.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-6 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2013 Apr |
Keywords
- Antipsychotic agents
- Delayed-action preparations
- Injections
- Schizophrenia
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Pharmacology (medical)