Long Acting Injectable (LAI) Antipsychotics

At SOWEGA Autism & Psychiatry, we believe that treatment continuity is critical to avoid relapse and improve outcomes for those who are diagnosed with schizophrenia and/or psychosis. Treatment for schizophrenia and/or psychosis aims to reduce the severity of symptoms, prevent the recurrence of episodes, and provide support to allow for an appropriate level of functioning. Given that up to half of patients suffering from schizophrenia/psychosis may not take their oral medications as prescribed, treatment adherence is a major challenge with serious consequences on the course of the illness. Nonadherence is of particular significance to patients in the early phases of psychosis. As the disease progresses, deterioration in treatment responsiveness becomes more common, especially with standard oral antipsychotics. Long-acting injectable (LAI) second-generation antipsychotics were developed with the primary objective of addressing both hidden and overt nonadherence.

At SOWEGA Autism & Psychiatry, we will collaborate with the patient and family to decide which course of treatment is most beneficial, either oral and/or injectable antipsychotics. If warranted, injectables can be brought to appointment or delivered by pharmacy. The practitioner will administer the injectable in the office. We will carefully weigh the matter of initiating LAIs on a case-by-case basis.