The significance of depot medication in the long-term-treatment of schizophrenia

Abstract

Relapse prevention in schizophrenia is a key aim in therapy. However, it is estimated that approximately 75% of patients with schizophrenia relapse within five years. Each relapse might worsen the disease and increase the risk of psychosocial and work-related disadvantages. A continuous long-term therapy is able to reduce this risk, but medical non-adherence, which is influenced by numerous factors, is a limitation. Naturalistic studies show that depot-antipsychotics compared with oral antipsychotics lead consistently to a better outcome, for example by reducing relapse rates or hospitalisation. Numerous meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials comparing oral versus depot-antipsychotics also show this advantages. However these results are not consistent in all meta-analyses. Results of controlled studies do not appropriately reflect the reality of daily practice. The advantages of depot-antipsychotics are shown more distinctly in naturalistic studies. The following review reflects the current therapy of schizophrenia and discusses adequately a broad application of depot-antipsychotics based on existing data. In addition, concerns and prejudices of physicians and patients against antipsychotic long-term therapy and depot-formulation are discussed and a recommendation is provided.