Effectiveness and Predictors of Continuation of Paliperidone Palmitate Long-Acting Injection Treatment: A 12-Month Naturalistic Cohort Study

J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2015 Oct;35(5):591-5. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000000385.

Abstract

Antipsychotic long-acting injectable (LAI) medication has an important place as a treatment option in schizophrenia with evolving evidence to support clinical benefit over oral medication. Paliperidone palmitate is recently licensed as an LAI. We studied a naturalistic cohort of all identifiable patients who initiated paliperidone LAI in a specific United Kingdom region (Sussex) from first availability up to January 2013 (n = 179). Favorably, 60% of the cohort continued paliperidone LAI beyond 12 months from initiation. Schizophrenia diagnosis was significantly associated with 12-month continuation on univariate analysis (65% continuation rate at 12 months in this diagnostic subgroup). No baseline variables were identified as independently associated with 12-month continuation. However, fewer inpatient days after initiation (odds ratio [OR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.003-1.011; P = 0.002), dose adjustment up or down (OR, 3.46; 95% CI, 1.26-9.51; P = 0.016), and a higher maintenance dose (OR, 8.31; 95% CI, 1.84-37.51; P = 0.006) during treatment course were all independently associated with continuation on multivariate analysis. Our findings support the importance of a collaborative approach with the LAI recipient in treatment decision making to enhance treatment effectiveness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antipsychotic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cohort Studies
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paliperidone Palmitate / administration & dosage*
  • Paliperidone Palmitate / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Time Factors
  • United Kingdom
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Paliperidone Palmitate