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Højlund M, Correll CU. Switching to long-acting injectable antipsychotics: pharmacological considerations and practical approaches. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2023; 24:1463-1489. [PMID: 37345508 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2023.2228686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) are an effective, but potentially underutilized treatment option in schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses. Prescribing information typically focuses on how to initiate treatment from the corresponding oral formulations. However, in clinical practice other scenarios, such as switching from other oral antipsychotics or other LAIs, occur frequently, requiring guidance. AREAS COVERED Pharmacodynamic properties of antipsychotics and their relation to rebound symptoms. Pharmacokinetic properties of LAIs and their implications for switching approaches. Specific approaches to switching to LAIs. EXPERT OPINION The LAI landscape has evolved significantly in the last decade with more formulations available, longer dosing intervals, and extended indications. However, currently available LAIs have various shortcomings, e.g. short dosing intervals, need for oral supplementation, loading regimens, deep intramuscular injection and/or restricted indications. Recent improvements include a one-day initiation option for aripiprazole lauroxil, aripiprazole monohydrate once-monthly, risperidone in situ microparticles and subcutaneous risperidone. Future LAI developments should focus on longer dosing intervals, subcutaneous administration, expansion of LAIs beyond currently available antipsychotic agents and indications beyond schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In the future, LAIs might become a first-line treatment after initial oral stabilization for chronic mental disorders with need for maintenance treatment and presence of significant non-adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikkel Højlund
- Department of Psychiatry Aabenraa, Mental Health Services Region of Southern Denmark, Aabenraa, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy, and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christoph U Correll
- Department of Psychiatry, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, NY, USA
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
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Weekly Supervised Administration of Oral Antipsychotics: An Alternative to Long-Acting Injections? CNS Drugs 2022; 36:315-325. [PMID: 35226350 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-022-00906-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance of response in schizophrenia is largely dependent on compliance with antipsychotic treatment. When people with schizophrenia are responsible for their own treatment, partial or non-adherence is common and usually results in relapse. Assured compliance with antipsychotic treatment is possible when long-acting injectable antipsychotics are given by healthcare staff, but some patients may not consent to treatment for a variety of reasons. An alternative to long-acting injections is the use of supervised oral administration of long-acting antipsychotics. This method assures compliance with prescribed regimens without the need for injections. To be suitable for once-weekly administration as an oral formulation, an antipsychotic needs to have a sufficiently long duration of action and to be well tolerated in high doses. There is evidence that weekly oral administration of either pimozide or penfluridol is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of schizophrenia. Other drugs potentially suitable for once-weekly oral administration include aripiprazole, brexpiprazole and cariprazine.
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Dunnett D, Oloyede E, Oduniyi O, Arroyo B, Dzahini O, Taylor D, Shergill SS, Whiskey E. Evaluation of the effectiveness and acceptability of the long-acting oral antipsychotic penfluridol: Illustrative case series. J Psychopharmacol 2022; 36:223-231. [PMID: 34702106 DOI: 10.1177/02698811211050561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
AIM In this study, we sought to determine clinical outcomes at 1 year for patients prescribed penfluridol in an inner London National Health Service Trust. Using noninterventional data, we describe the use, effectiveness and safety of this treatment modality. RESULTS We retrospectively followed up 17 patients prescribed penfluridol as part of routine clinical practice. All patients took penfluridol once weekly. Of these patients, 12 (70.6%) were considered treatment resistant. The average duration of illness for this cohort was 10 years (SD = 6.7). At 1 year, nine (53%) patients remained on treatment. Median survival time was not reached at 1-year follow-up; mean time on penfluridol was 251 days (95% confidence interval (CI), 184-318). The mean number of admissions to hospital in the year following penfluridol initiation was 0.6 compared with 0.8, 1 year before initiation (p = 0.465). The median number of bed days 1 year before penfluridol initiation was 24, whereas in the year following penfluridol initiation, it was 0 (p = 0.514). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Although penfluridol is unlicensed in the United Kingdom, limited data suggest that this long-acting oral therapy has the potential to be used safely and effectively for the treatment of psychotic disorders. However, more data are required to establish the place of penfluridol and other potential long-acting oral antipsychotic formulations in the treatment of psychotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Dunnett
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ebenezer Oloyede
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.,Pharmacy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Oluwakemi Oduniyi
- Pharmacy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Barbara Arroyo
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Olubanke Dzahini
- Pharmacy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - David Taylor
- Pharmacy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sukhi S Shergill
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.,NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Eromona Whiskey
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.,Pharmacy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
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Taub S, Krivoy A, Whiskey E, Shergill SS. New approaches to antipsychotic medication adherence - safety, tolerability and acceptability. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2021; 21:517-524. [PMID: 34541978 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2021.1983540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antipsychotic pharmacotherapy is considered a first-line treatment in schizophrenia-related disorders and is associated with favorable prognosis and lower mortality rates. However, low adherence rates present a major clinical challenge. In this paper, we will review contemporary approaches to improve adherence to antipsychotic treatment, considering their mechanism of action, safety, tolerability and acceptability. AREAS COVERED Novel pharmacological delivery methods included different routes of administration of registered medications (such as intramuscular clozapine preparation and transdermal asenapine), modifications of existing compounds (such as 3-monthly injectable formulation of paliperidone palmitate), and increased interest in oral long-acting medication formulations (such as with penfluridol). In addition, we reviewed innovative technology to monitor adherence, based on the use of electronic digital medicine systems and ingestible sensors. EXPERT OPINION All of these diverse approaches were clinically relevant in enhancing treatment adherence and found to be safe and tolerable. The place of each approach is predicated on a personalized approach in each patient, and future research could usefully use large comparative studies to establish robust treatment guidelines. The implementation of new and varied approaches to antipsychotic treatment adherence is welcomed and have the potential to make a significant impact on morbidity in this often difficult-to-treat population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Taub
- Geha Mental Health Center, Petach-Tikva, Israel
| | - Amir Krivoy
- Geha Mental Health Center, Petach-Tikva, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Eromona Whiskey
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.,National Psychosis Unit, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sukhi S Shergill
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.,National Psychosis Unit, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Kent and Medway Medical School, Canterbury, UK
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