Helpful Insights forPatients and Caregivers

What You Need to Know About Long Acting injectables

Key Reminder

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  • LAIs are medicines which are made to help individuals living with mental illness. 
  • LAIs may help to reduce time in the hospital and increase quality of life. 
  • LAI injections are given every 2-12 weeks depending on which medicine is best. This schedule may help individuals stick to a medicine plan.
  • For individuals worried about paying for a LAI, help may be available. Many insurance plans should help cover the cost of one of the LAIs. The drug company for each medicine may also be able to help.

References

  1. Whyte A, Parker C. A review of the efficacy and tolerability of antipsychotic long-acting injections. Prog. Neurol. Psychiatry. 2016;20(4):22- 28. DOI: 10.1002/pnp.436.
  2. Siegel SJ. Extended release drug delivery strategies in psychiatry: theory to practice. Psychiatry (edgmont). 2005;2(6):22-31. PubMed PMID: 21152152.
  3. Brissos S, Veguilla MR, Taylor D, Balanzá-Martinez V. The role of long-acting injectable antipsychotics in schizophrenia: a critical appraisal. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2014;4(5):198-219. DOI: 10.1177/2045125314540297. PubMed PMID: 25360245.
  4. Gray R, Spilling R, Burgess D, Newey T. Antipsychotic long-acting injections in clinical practice: medication management and patient choice. Br J Psychiatry. 2009;52:S51-6. DOI: 10.1192/bjp.195.52.s51. PubMed PMID: 19880918.
  5. Chou YH, Chu P-C, Wu S-W, Lee J-C, Lee Y-H, Sun I-W, et al. A Systemic Review and Experts' Consensus for Long-acting Injectable Antipsychotics in Bipolar Disorder. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2015;13(2):121-8. DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2015.13.2.121. PubMed PMID: 26243837.