Long-acting injectable antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia: Practical considerations

The positive symptoms of schizophrenia are usually treated with oral antipsychotics despite high rates of nonadherence leading to relapse and rehospitalization. Seven long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics are cur-rently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for maintenance treatment of schizophrenia. These medications reduce the risk for nonad-herence and relapse, yet relatively few clinicians prescribe them. All LAI anti-psychotics are equally effective in treat-ing the positive symptoms of schizo-phrenia. Dosing requirements, dosing frequencies, and what clinicians should consider in choosing a LAI antipsychot-ic for a specific patient are discussed. Communication strategies that help patients and families understand what they need to know about schizophrenia and its treatment to share in the decision-making process are also provided.