Efficacy of Long-acting, Injectable Antipsychotics in the Treatment of Bipolar Disorders

Abstract

Objective: Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic drugs have been used to treat bipolar disorders, especially in patients with poor medication adherence. We used copies of a questionnaire and chart reviews to investigate the outcome of long-term use of LAI antipsychotic drugs in bipolar patients. Methods: In this study, the use of LAI antipsychotics, including first-generation LAI (FLAI) antipsychotic drugs and second-generation LAI (SLAI) antipsychotic drugs were studied, to determine their efficacy and side effects. The study group comprised patients with bipolar disorder who were recruited from outpatient clinics at Taipei City Psychiatric Center: 27 patients who received FLAI antipsychotics and 14 patients who received risperidone one of the SLAI antipsychotics. Self-report copies of the questionnaire were gathered, and information from patients' medical records was reviewed and analyzed (n ¼ 41). Results: The frequencies (number of times per year) of mood episodes were found to be significantly different before and after the administration of LAI antipsychotic drugs (0.71 ± 0.65 and 0.23 ± 0.43, respectively, p < 0.001). The frequency of hospitalizations was also significantly different (0.57 ± 0.69 and 0.11 ± 0.26, respectively, p < 0.001). Conclusion: LAI treatment may decrease the frequency of mood episodes and number of hospitalizations in patients with bipolar disorder.