New Zealand community mental healthcare provider experience in schizophrenia management with 3-monthly paliperidone palmitate

Abstract

Objectives: To understand the impact of 3-monthly treatment with paliperidone palmitate on patient management, including non-adherence and relapse, from a psychiatrist and nurse perspective for 73 patients enrolled in a patient familiarisation programme (PFP) in New Zealand. Methods: An online questionnaire was sent to clinicians with at least 6 months of regular interaction with PFP patients. Questions addressed treatment effectiveness and patient management changes. Analyses are descriptive only and do not represent patient or carer perspectives. Results: Seven psychiatrists, representing 58 of 73 (79.5%) of patients, and 17 nurses responded to the survey. Psychiatrists were satisfied with efficacy and tolerability and relapse prevention. Treatment goals were either ‘met’ (2/7; 28.6%) or ‘exceeded’ (5/7; 71.4%). The focus on adherence issues decreased and the focus on life areas and recovery goals increased. Conclusions: From the clinician perspective, 3-monthly paliperidone palmitate offers patients the potential to remain adherent and improve social functioning.

Persistence and adherence to second-generation antipsychotic long-acting injectable medications for schizophrenia: A comparative study in the Australian context

“…Treatment with PP3M has been associated with symptomatic remission and stability, 7,8 prevention of relapse 9 and important downstream benefits of enabling a shift in focus from medication-related issues towards health, well-being and recovery goals. 1,8…”

“…Long-acting injectable preparations of antipsychotic medications can support treatment persistence and adherence in patients with schizophrenia, prevent hospitalisation or relapse and improve social functioning. 1,2 Compared to first-generation medications and second-generation oral medications, second-generation antipsychotic long-acting injectable (SGA LAI) therapies are associated with longer treatment persistence, 3 with additional advantages including fewer extrapyramidal side effects, 4 reduced risk of overdose; predictable serum concentrations; and differentiation between lack of efficacy and lack of adherence. 5 Despite these advantages, a recent cohort study reported that older long-acting therapies were still used by 20% of patients.…”

One-Month versus Three-Month Formulation of Paliperidone Palmitate Treatment in Psychotic Disorders: Patients’, Relatives’, and Mental Health Professionals’ Perspectives

“…A study of Cassidy and Miles (2020) evaluated by an online-questionnaire the impact of PP3M on patient management, including non-adherence and relapse, from a psychiatrist (n=7) and nurse (n=17) perspective. 16 Treatment goals were met or exceeded, and psychiatrists were satisfied with treatment efficacy and relapse prevention. They concluded that from a clinician’s perspective, PP3M offers patients the potential to remain adherent and improve social functioning.…”