Exploring preferences of patients, care partners, and prescribers for an injectable antipsychotic administered once every 2 months for treatment of schizophrenia: a plain language summary

Plain Language SummaryWhat is this summary about?Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and acts, and can require long-term treatment. Antipsychotic medicines are used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia, and can come in various types, including long-acting injectables (LAIs), which are taken every few weeks or months. This summary is about a study where researchers interviewed people living with schizophrenia, their care partners, and healthcare professionals who prescribe treatments (prescribers). The aim of the study was to find out their opinions about a hypothetical LAI antipsychotic that could be administered once every 2 months, and to ask about their treatment experiences and goals.What were the results?Treatment goals for people living with schizophrenia, their care partners, and healthcare professionals, included stability of symptoms, a treatment that works well, and a good quality of life.Advantages of a hypothetical LAI antipsychotic given once every 2 months for patients and care partners included convenience and the need for fewer injections and disadvantages included concerns about the medicine being less effective. Prescribers noted that LAI antipsychotics given once every 2 months may help patients feel better for longer, but may provide less opportunities for dosing adjustments.What does this mean?Participants interviewed in this study generally had positive views of an LAI antipsychotic that could be given once every 2 months, noting that this could provide greater freedom and reduce treatment burden for people living with schizophrenia.How to say (download PDF and double click sound icon to play sound)…Antipsychotic: an-tie-sy-COT-ickHallucinations: huh-lu-su-nay-shunsLong-acting injectable: long AK-ting in-JEK-tuh-bulPsychosis: sy-KOH-sisSchizophrenia: skit-suh-FREH-nee-uhSchizophrenia: A long-term mental health condition that typically causes a range of different symptoms.Antipsychotic: A type of medication used to treat psychosis in people living with schizophrenia.Psychosis: Symptoms that cause people to experience reality differently from people around them, including hallucinations and delusions.Long-acting injectable (LAI): A type of slow-release medicine injected into the muscle or fat tissue every few weeks or months.This is an abstract of the Plain Language Summary of Publication article.