title: Treatment of early episode in patients with schizophrenia: the role of long acting antipsychotics.
abstract: The use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) in schizophrenia is usually restricted to patients in long-term treatment, who prefer them to oral antipsychotics, and to patients with multiple relapses who have a history of non-adherence. However, preliminary evidence from patients in the early phases of the disease suggest that second generation LAIs may be superior to second generation oral medications with regard to the control of negative symptoms and psychosocial functioning. Moreover, several studies have found that psychiatrists are generally reluctant to prescribe LAI antipsychotics and under-estimate their acceptability by patients. Key elements to take into account when offering a LAI in the early course of schizophrenia should include their potential superiority in allowing early detection of non-adherence and in reducing the number of rehospitalisations and relapses.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Technischen Universität München, Ismaningerstraße 22, 81675 München, Germany. Electronic address: s.heres@lrz.tu-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heres
authors.affiliation: Psychosis Centre, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Centre of Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric University Clinics University of Basel, Centre for Mental Health, Kornhausgasse 7, 4051 Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vauth
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D055118:Medication Adherence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations
keywords: Antipsychotic; First episode; Long-acting injections; Recent onset; Schizophrenia