[Long-acting injectable antipsychotics: an expert opinion from the Association des médecins psychiatres du Québec].

OBJECTIVE

To present points of agreement and disagreement about antipsychotics. Since the appearance of 2nd generation long-acting antipsychotics (LAA), and given the high frequency of noncompliance with antipsychotics in psychotic disorders, LAAs have attracted more interest in psychiatric literature. However,their use is suboptimal, globally, and is also subject to significant national disparities. ln this context,the Association des médecins psychiatres du Québec (AMPQ) has asked for a review of the evidence concerning LAA efficiency and tolerance, and has called for consensual c1inical reflection on the benefits and obstacles of prescribing them, as weil as potential solutions, including administrative and judiciary dimensions.

METHODS

The AMPQ established an expert committee, from 4 Quebec universities, which was responsible for preparing the review paper. The committee intended to appropriately provide c1inicians with the different aspects of LAA use. The committee produced a qualitative and selective review.

RESULTS

Mean LAA prescription rates observed in Canada are around 6% and data to confirm this are scarce. A 15% to 25% rate could be suggested.

CONCLUSION

The committee has submitted the Quebec long-acting antipsychotic algorithm (QAAPAPLE, derived from the French acronym) as a result of the consensus reached by the 4 university psychiatry departments.