Historical perspective on antipsychotic long-acting injections

BACKGROUND: Clinical experience has shown considerable potential benefits from long-term continuous medication for chronic or relapsing forms of schizophrenia. These benefits have not always been realised. AIMS: To review the research literature in order to understand the problems of long-term medication and use of antipsychotic oral medication and long-acting injections (LAIs), and to place these in an historical context. METHOD: Review of literature. RESULTS: Research showed that the potential success of LAI therapy depends on the quality of the follow-up service. CONCLUSIONS: Following the advent of second-generation oral antipsychotics confidence in the use of LAIs has eroded and that mistakes made in LAI use during the past century may be repeated.