Differentiating Aspects of Oral and Long-acting Injectable Antipsychotic Drugs for Tailoring the Therapy of Schizophrenia

Research from the University of Siena details new data on the advantages and disadvantages of oral and long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications for treating schizophrenia. The study, published in International Clinical Psychopharmacology, aimed to support clinicians in choosing the most suitable formulation based on clinical symptoms. Financial support for the research came from Angelini Pharma S.p.A.

Key Takeaways:

• Oral antipsychotics (OAPs) offer dosing flexibility, ease of discontinuation, lower cost, and a wide choice of molecules, but may have drawbacks such as risk of nonadherence, plasma level fluctuations, and food and drug interactions.
• Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) have advantages including improved adherence, reduced relapse rates, and stable drug levels, but may be associated with discomfort, stigma, and less manageable drug interactions.
• When treating schizophrenia, it is critical to consider patients' needs, preferences, and history of medication adherence to optimize outcomes and improve quality of life.
• Combining patient education with individualized treatment plans may enhance therapeutic efficacy.
• The study's authors emphasized the importance of pairing medication selection with patient education and individualized treatment plans to achieve better outcomes in schizophrenia treatment.
• Key researchers involved in the study include Andrea Fagiolini, Alessandro Cuomo, Domenico De Berardis, Bernardo Dell'Osso, Maurizio Pompili, and Gianluca Serafini.

Statistics:

• The study was supported by Angelini Pharma S.p.A.
• The research utilized an electronic search of the PubMed database performed in June 2024, and additional articles were retrieved from references or personal knowledge of the authors.
• The study reviewed 23 relevant articles examining the advantages and disadvantages of OAPs and LAIs.
• The results highlighted the significant differences in dosing flexibility, adherence rates, and patient convenience between OAPs and LAIs.
• The study emphasized the importance of considering patients' needs and preferences when selecting antipsychotic medications for schizophrenia treatment.

Sources:

• NewsRx. Findings on Schizophrenia Discussed by Investigators at University of Siena (Differentiating Aspects of Oral and Long-acting Injectable Antipsychotic Drugs for Tailoring the Therapy of Schizophrenia In Clinical Practice: a Narrative Review). Mental Health Weekly Digest. November 3, 2025; p 203.
• Fagiolini, A., Cuomo, A., De Berardis, D., Dell'Osso, B., Pompili, M., & Serafini, G. (2025). Differentiating Aspects of Oral and Long-acting Injectable Antipsychotic Drugs for Tailoring the Therapy of Schizophrenia In Clinical Practice: a Narrative Review. International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 40(6).