Long-acting injectable antipsychotics in early psychosis: a literature review.
OBJECTIVE
There are sound reasons for considering the use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics early in the course of schizophrenia. We reviewed available literature on the subject.


METHODS
We conducted an electronic database search and critically reviewed all studies in which a long-acting injectable antipsychotic was evaluated in early psychosis patients.


RESULTS
There is a need for well-designed studies as most of those reported were open-label and non-comparative, and samples were frequently small.


CONCLUSIONS
The available evidence does suggest that long-acting injectable antipsychotics can be used safely and effectively in early stages of the illness, and that they may be associated with better outcomes than with oral medications. However, this is largely supported by evidence from naturalistic cohort studies and a small number of controlled trials of risperidone long-acting injection. Evidence for olanzapine and paliperidone long-acting injectables in particular is limited.
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Heath Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa. rae@sun.ac.za
Robin
R
Emsley
Bonginkosi
B
Chiliza
Laila
L
Asmal
Mpogisheng
M
Mashile
Paolo
P
Fusar-Poli
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations
depot; early psychosis; long-acting antipsychotic; schizophrenia