Guidance on the clinical understanding and use of long‐acting injectable antipsychotics in Schizophrenia: Hong Kong Consensus Statements

Abstract

Aims There is increasing evidence showing the importance of long‐acting injectable antipsychotics in the management of schizophrenia, especially in terms of improving patient medication compliance. A panel of experienced clinicians in Hong Kong mapped out a set of consensus statements with an aim to facilitate the understanding and use of long‐acting injectable antipsychotics among local physicians. Methods Eight discussion areas regarding long‐acting injectable antipsychotics were selected by the chairman of the consensus group. A series of meetings were held for the panelists to discuss the published literature and their clinical experience, followed by the drafting of consensus statements. At the final meeting, each consensus statement was voted on anonymously by all members based on its practicability of recommendation in Hong Kong. Results A total of 12 consensus statements on the rational use of long‐acting injectable antipsychotics were established and accepted by the consensus group. Conclusion The consensus statements aim to provide practical guidance for Hong Kong physicians on the use of long‐acting injectable antipsychotics in schizophrenia patients. These statements may also serve as a reference for doctors in other parts of the Asia–Pacific region.

Catatonia-related adverse outcomes after long-acting injectable antipsychotics: Case series

“… 16 , 17 Review of five sets of guidelines and three large-scale reviews focused on the use of LAI antipsychotics to treat schizophrenia did not yield any mention of catatonia as an important complication or consideration. 18 - 25 Of eight international professional organization guidelines for the treatment of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, three did not mention catatonia, three briefly mentioned catatonia, and two specifically discussed the interaction between oral antipsychotic medications and catatonia. 16 , 17 , 26 - 31 Increased awareness and improved understanding of the risks and benefits of using LAI antipsychotics when catatonia is present may allow clinicians to more safely and effectively treat patients.…”

Shared Decision-Making and Role Preference Among Patients With Schizophrenia in Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…It is acknowledged that SGA LAIs are increasingly chosen for use in the early stages of illness due to the advantages they offer in preserving white matter brain volume, which provide a greater degree of neuroprotection and better cognitive performance. A very recent article from Hong Kong provided consensus statements promoting the use of SGA LAIs with all patients with schizophrenia as an SDM process due to the extensive volume of evidence supporting the benefits for treatment outcomes regardless of the illness stage ( 80 ). The practice of using SGA LAIs as a preferred option in the early stages of illness is new in Malaysia.…”