Combination long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medication in adolescents with severe psychosis and aggression: a case series
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis
Published on: November 21, 2013
Peter McInnis1, John Kasinathan2
1Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Objectives:
We examine the use of combination long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medication for adolescents with severe psychosis and aggression. We discuss benefits and risks with this approach, for a highly challenging small group of young people.
Methods:
A clinical summary is given of three adolescents admitted to a secure adolescent forensic inpatient unit, and the literature is reviewed.
Results:
In these adolescents with severe psychosis, aggression and violent offending, combination LAI antipsychotics effectively treated psychosis and enabled transfer to less restrictive settings. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores decreased significantly with treatment, without any severe adverse effects.
Conclusions:
Combination LAI antipsychotics may be an effective treatment for adolescents with severe psychosis and aggression where clozapine is not a realistic therapeutic option. Close monitoring for side-effects, clear documentation of clinical reasoning and appropriate safeguards are important.
Related Concept Videos
Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview
Aggression
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
Cognitive Development During Adolescence
Forces Acting on Chromosomes
Microtubules and motor proteins exert two types of forces on...
Antipsychotic Drugs: Therapeutic Uses and Side Effects
Despite these side effects, antipsychotics are used therapeutically for various purposes, including managing schizophrenia, preventing nausea and vomiting, curbing...

