LAUSR

Abstract Background The purpose of this presentation is to investigate qualitative differences associated with treatment of Schizophrenia spectrum disorder patients with long acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics, including adverse effects and efficacy. Methods Literature around LAI antipsychotics and their comparative data was reviewed and evaluated via all electronic databases up to December 2018. Results Metabolic, hepatic and cardiovascular complications in olanzapine treatment have been the major concern in most studies, despite the effectiveness of the medication, as coronary heart disease is strongly associated with a decrease in the life expectancy of schizophrenia patients (coupled with higher levels of smoking and malnutrition). Treatment with risperidone was associated with a worsening of depressive affect and suicidal ideation (except prolactin-related and extrapyramidal adverse effects), as well as sexual dysfunction. Hyperprolactinemia, extrapyramidal / neurological symptoms, and sexual dysfunction were the major problems with haloperidol treatment despite a good efficacy profile with respect to positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Sporadic effectiveness, agitation and, to a lesser extent, weight gain were some of the concerns in palimperidone treatment. Aripiprazole treatment was associated with a comparatively milder and in the long term more preferable adverse effect profile, while exhibiting similarly high levels of efficacy with olanzapine in controlling schizophrenia symptoms, but with a reported relatively higher rate in treatment discontinuation (drop-outs) in comparison to olanzapine and haloperidol in case of schizophrenia (in contrast to schizoaffective disorder in which high levels of both compliance and effectiveness are exhibited). Discussion The need for an individualized approach in psychiatric treatment highlighted so that the needs of each patient be taken into account by the therapist in choosing the optimal treatment within a given time frame.