DEFINITION

• LAIs represent a solution to patients with adherence issues, which is an issue prevalent in patients who require antipsychotic maintenance therapy. Originally thought to only be pertinent to patients with more severe and long-standing psychiatric conditions, LAIs are now seen as options even for patients with first-episode psychosis.
• Initiation of LAIs requires patients to be established on an oral regimen prior to switch, and patient may need oral overlap depending on the formulation that is selected.
• Monitoring of patients with LAIs should not differ from that of their oral antipsychotic counterparts.