Evidence for use of depot neuroleptic medication

Abstract

Objective: To review the evidence guiding conventional and atypical depot neuroleptic usage.Method: A search of biomedical electronic databases including Medline, Embase, PsychInfo and Cochrane was performed. Hand searching of journals was also carried out.Results: Depot neuroleptics are safe and effective in the maintenance treatment of patients with schizophrenia. There is some evidence to support the use of depot neuroleptics in illnesses other than schizophrenia. The evidence base guiding depot usage is sparse.Conclusions: Although guidelines are emerging there is a pressing need for rigorous well designed trials of depot antipsychotic usage. The advent of atypical depot antipsychotic preparations should stimulate research in this important area of clinical practice.