Addressing Barriers to Using Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics and Appropriately Monitoring Antipsychotic Adverse Effects

Conflicting results on the efficacy of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics in improving adherence and reducing relapse and rehospitalization compared with oral antipsychotic agents have created a barrier to their use in the treatment of schizophrenia. However, clinicians must critically examine these results and interpret them in the context of their study designs. Other barriers to LAI use include clinicians’ lack of familiarity or training and patients’ fear or stigma related to injections. Because nonadherence is common among patients with schizophrenia, LAI antipsychotics are a valuable treatment option to help improve outcomes. Antipsychotic-induced side effects can contribute to both nonadherence and serious physical conditions, so clinicians should regularly monitor patients for metabolic problems, cardiovascular side effects, and extrapyramidal side effects. Improved education and institutional policies can encourage LAI antipsychotic use and consistent health monitoring to help patients reach recovery.