Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
10:32
Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills
Published on: April 23, 2014
Long-acting Injectable Antipsychotics in First-episode Schizophrenia
Hyun-Ghang Jeong1, Moon-Soo Lee
1Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea. ; Research Institute of Mental Health, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Summary
Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) improve adherence in schizophrenia management. More research is needed on second-generation antipsychotic long-acting injections (SGA-LAIs) for first-episode schizophrenia patients.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Antipsychotic medications are crucial for schizophrenia management, with continuous treatment preventing relapse.
- Non-adherence to antipsychotic medication leads to poor clinical outcomes.
- Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) ensure treatment adherence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential of second-generation antipsychotic long-acting injections (SGA-LAIs) in managing schizophrenia.
- To explore the efficacy and safety of SGA-LAIs in first-episode schizophrenia patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on LAI use in schizophrenia.
- Analysis of the expanded indications for SGA-LAIs.
- Investigation into the use of LAIs in first-episode schizophrenia.
Main Results:
- SGA-LAIs reduce the risk of extrapyramidal adverse events compared to older formulations.
- Indications for SGA-LAIs have broadened to include acute psychotic patients.
- Limited research exists on LAI use in first-episode schizophrenia.
Conclusions:
- SGA-LAIs show promise for schizophrenia treatment, including potential use in first-episode patients.
- Further well-designed randomized controlled trials are necessary to establish the efficacy of SGA-LAIs in first-episode schizophrenia.
- Long-term safety data for SGA-LAIs in this population are required before widespread recommendation.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Antipsychotic Drugs: Typical and Atypical Agents
Antipsychotic drugs are classified into first-generation (typical) drugs including phenothiazines; and second-generation (atypical) drugs. Chlorpromazine hydrochloride (Thorazine), a phenothiazine derivative, broadly impacts the central, autonomic, and endocrine systems. This drug, along with typical agents like haloperidol (Haldol), primarily works by antagonizing D2 receptors, thus reducing dopaminergic neurotransmission. However, typical antipsychotics can cause side effects such as sedation...
01:26Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation. For...
01:28Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview
The term "psychosis" refers to a spectrum of mental disorders characterized by abnormal thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors. It can manifest as mood disorders, dementia, delirium with psychotic features, substance-induced psychosis with psychotic features, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia. Among all these disorders, schizophrenia is the most common psychotic disorder, affecting 1% of the worldwide population. Psychotic symptoms in all...
01:27Insulin Formulations: Types and Delivery
Insulin preparations are categorized by their duration of action into short-acting and long-acting types. Two strategies are used to modify insulin's absorption and pharmacokinetic profile: slowing the absorption post-subcutaneous injection, or altering human insulin's amino acid sequence or protein structure. These changes retain the insulin's ability to bind to the insulin receptor, but alter its behavior in solution or after injection.
Short-acting insulins are divided into rapid-acting...
Short-acting insulins are divided into rapid-acting...
01:28Drug Therapy
The advent of drug therapy has profoundly shaped modern mental health care, providing targeted treatments for a range of psychological disorders. Psychotherapeutic drugs, classified into antianxiety, antidepressant, and antipsychotic medications, address symptoms across anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. While these medications have transformed patient outcomes, they require careful management due to their potential side effects and limitations.
Antianxiety Medications
Antianxiety Medications
01:21Antipsychotic Drugs: Therapeutic Uses and Side Effects
Antipsychotic drugs primarily block dopamine and serotonin receptors and cholinergic, adrenergic, and histaminergic receptors, thereby reducing hallucinations and delusions in conditions like schizophrenia. However, they can trigger unwanted extrapyramidal effects such as dystonias, Parkinson-like symptoms, and tardive dyskinesia.
Despite these side effects, antipsychotics are used therapeutically for various purposes, including managing schizophrenia, preventing nausea and vomiting, curbing...
Despite these side effects, antipsychotics are used therapeutically for various purposes, including managing schizophrenia, preventing nausea and vomiting, curbing...