Positive views on antipsychotic long-acting injections: results of a survey of community patients prescribed antipsychotics.

BACKGROUND

We aimed to assess patients' views about antipsychotic long-acting injections (LAIs).

METHODS

We interviewed patients prescribed an antipsychotic (oral or LAI) in our community teams. In a subanalysis, responses were analysed for differences between patients currently receiving an LAI and those prescribed only oral medication.

RESULTS

In total, 226 patients (57%) completed the study questionnaire. The majority agreed that LAIs ensured delivery of the right amount of medication and protection against hospital admissions (57% and 60%, respectively). A minority of participants were more concerned than not about the use of a needle (46%), pain from injection (48%) and the need to travel to receive the injection (34%). A majority expressed a preference for injection site (deltoid or gluteal) (65%) and clinic location (69%). A higher proportion of patients currently receiving an LAI compared with those prescribed oral medication thought an LAI was beneficial because this formulation obviated the need to: swallow tablets (63% 41%;  = 0.0013), remember to take tablets daily (75% 51%;  = 0.0004), remember tablets when away from home (72% 49%;  = 0008). Current LAI users were more likely than those on oral treatment to agree that LAIs keep patients out of hospital (76% 44%;  = 0.0001) and that the injection ensured delivery of the right amount of medication (71% 44%;  = 0.0002). Women were more likely than men to prefer administration by a clinician of the same gender (34% 12%;  = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, a greater proportion of patients prescribed an LAI regarded LAIs as beneficial compared with those on oral medication.