Long-acting injectable antipsychotics. Review and recent developments

Abstract

Long-acting injectable antipsychotics, also known as ‘depots’, were developed in the late 1960s as an attempt to improve compliance and long-term management of schizophrenia. Despite their availability for over 30 years, guidelines for their use and data on patients for whom long-acting injectable antipsychotics are most indicated are sparse and vary considerably. A review of the perceived advantages and disadvantages of using long-acting injectable antipsychotics is provided in this article, as well as a review of the literature to update clinicians on the current advances of this therapeutic option to optimize compliance and long-term management of chronic schizophrenia.