Evaluation of long-acting injectable antipsychotics with the corresponding oral formulation in a cohort of patients with schizophrenia: a real-world study in Spain

• Published in: International clinical psychopharmacology Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 18 - 24
• Main Authors: García-Carmona, Juan Antonio, Simal-Aguado, Jorge, Campos-Navarro, María Pilar, Valdivia-Muñoz, Francisco, Galindo-Tovar, Alejandro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved 01-01-2021; Copyright Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Adult; Antipsychotic Agents - administration & dosage; Cohort Studies; Delayed-Action Preparations; Humans; Injections; Schizophrenia - drug therapy; Spain; Treatment Outcome; Spain
• ISSN: 0268-1315; 1473-5857
• DOI: 10.1097/YIC.0000000000000339

To date, only a few studies compared some long-acting injectables (LAIs) antipsychotics showing similar symptom improvement, relapse rates and adherence to treatment. We evaluated the use of LAIs antipsychotics [aripiprazole-1-month (A1M); paliperidone-1-month and 3-month (PP1M and PP3M) and biweekly (2w)-LAIs] and their corresponding oral formulations through (1) the number of hospital re-admissions, (2) the number of documented suicidal behaviour/attempts and (3) the use of concomitant benzodiazepines, oral antipsychotics and biperiden. A total of 277 patients, ≥18 years old, were included if were treated with the corresponding oral or LAI antipsychotic during at least 12 months and were previously diagnosed with schizophrenia. Our results showed that LAIs associated significantly lower suicidal behaviour, reduced the number of hospital admissions, lower diazepam and haloperidol equivalents and mean daily dose of biperiden intake versus oral antipsychotics. Furthermore, significant differences were found between LAIs. Specifically, PP3M was associated to lower hospital admissions versus A1M; PP1M and PP3M lower doses of diazepam equivalents versus 2w-LAIs and finally, PP1M lower antipsychotic intake versus 2w-LAIs. In conclusion, LAIs improved clinical outcomes by reducing the need for concomitant treatments and hospital admissions over oral antipsychotics. PP1M and PP3M showed better outcomes versus A1M and biweekly LAIs.