BACKGROUND: Long-acting depot antipsychotic medication is a widely used treatment for schizophrenia. AIMS: To synthesise relevant systematic Cochrane reviews. METHOD: The Cochrane Database was searched and summary data were extracted from randomised controlled clinical trials of depots. RESULTS: Standard dose depot v. placebo resulted in significantly less relapse but more movement disorders. Those on depots (v. oral drugs) showed more global change on one outcome measure; relapse and adverse effects showed no difference. Comparisons showed no convincing advantages for one depot over another. CONCLUSIONS: Depot antipsychotics are safe and effective. They may confer a small benefit over oral drugs on global outcome. Those for whom depots are most indicated may not be represented. Large studies are required to discern differences in relapse rates and long-term adverse effects, and data on satisfaction, quality of life and economics.
BACKGROUND: Long-acting depot antipsychotic medication is a widely used treatment for schizophrenia. AIMS: To synthesise relevant systematic Cochrane reviews. METHOD: The Cochrane Database was searched and summary data were extracted from randomised controlled clinical trials of depots. RESULTS: Standard dose depot v. placebo resulted in significantly less relapse but more movement disorders. Those on depots (v. oral drugs) showed more global change on one outcome measure; relapse and adverse effects showed no difference. Comparisons showed no convincing advantages for one depot over another. CONCLUSIONS: Depot antipsychotics are safe and effective. They may confer a small benefit over oral drugs on global outcome. Those for whom depots are most indicated may not be represented. Large studies are required to discern differences in relapse rates and long-term adverse effects, and data on satisfaction, quality of life and economics.
Authors: Kayla L Metzger; Jody M Shoemaker; Jonathan B Kahn; Christina R Maxwell; Yuling Liang; Jan Tokarczyk; Stephen J Kanes; Meredith Hans; Anthony M Lowman; Nily Dan; Karen I Winey; Neal R Swerdlow; Steven J Siegel Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Date: 2006-11-21 Impact factor: 4.530
Authors: Peter F Buckley; Donna A Wirshing; Prameet Bhushan; Joseph M Pierre; Seth A Resnick; William C Wirshing Journal: CNS Drugs Date: 2007 Impact factor: 5.749
Authors: Rune A Kroken; Eirik Kjelby; Tore Wentzel-Larsen; Liv S Mellesdal; Hugo A Jørgensen; Erik Johnsen Journal: Ther Adv Psychopharmacol Date: 2014-12