Selecting patients for long-acting novel antipsychotic therapy.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: As new psychopharmacological agents for the management of schizophrenia are introduced into clinical practice, inappropriate patient selection may often lead to disappointing outcomes for the patient, the family and services. Recently, the first and only long-acting novel antipsychotic was made available in Australia. Based on criteria used in a large clinical network in Victoria, this paper sets out to present six selection profiles for patients with schizophrenia who may be suitable candidates for treatment with this class of medication. CONCLUSIONS: Optimizing outcome for patients with enduring psychotic disorders involves enabling a stable psychopharmacological platform upon which to build a psychosocial therapies programme. Too often, problems with adherence undermine the recovery process. Long-acting novel antipsychotics ensure adherence, with all the advantages inherent in second-generation antipsychotics. Identifying patients a priori who might best respond to the long-acting novel antipsychotics may lead to improving the efficiency of the recovery process.