The attitude of patients towards antipsychotic depot treatment

In spite of their well known advantages, depot antipsychotics are seldom prescribed in the treatment of schizophrenia. A frequently stated reason is the patient's objection to depot treatment. We questioned 300 patients in nine psychiatric hospitals shortly before their discharge about their preferences in the mode of administration of antipsychotic treatment, taking earlier depot experience into account. 145 patients were naive to depot treatment, 95 had experienced a depot earlier and 60 were currently on a depot medication. Acceptance of depot treatment in relapse prevention was 73% in patients currently being treated with a depot and 45% in depot-experienced patients, compared with 23% in depot-naive participants. Participants, depending on their experience with the formulation, acknowledged suggested potential advantages of depot treatment. Preference of depots as favorable antipsychotic treatment depends on the patient's experience with the formulation. A considerable number of patients would accept a depot drug as a long-term treatment option. The gap between patients' acceptance and the low prescription rates can be narrowed by offering antipsychotic depots to more patients.