The Value of Early Intervention With Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics to Improve Adherence and Treatment of Schizophrenia

This activity was originally broadcast in conjunction with the AAPP 2023 Annual Meeting.

Program Description

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions and requires continuous and effective long-term management to reduce symptoms, improve quality of life, and prevent relapses. While oral antipsychotics have proven to be efficacious for many patients, ongoing symptoms and relapse remain a problem due to nonadherence. Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics are an underutilized treatment alternative that, when administered early on, improve adherence and reduce/prevent relapses and hospitalizations. It is important that pharmacists are familiar with the substantial health and economic burdens associated with schizophrenia, including high rates of medication nonadherence and symptomatic relapses, to effectively identify patients who may be ideal candidates for LAI antipsychotics as well as counsel patients/caregivers about schizophrenia and possible treatments. This activity will discuss current guidelines and data on LAIs to enable pharmacists to make appropriate recommendations in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia.

Target audience: Health-system, community, and specialty pharmacists

Type of activity: Application
Release date: May 2, 2023
Expiration date: May 2, 2024

Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours

Learner level: Intermediate
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Analyze the factors that contribute to elevated rates of nonadherence, rates of relapse, and treatment challenges associated with schizophrenia
• Explore the current American Psychiatric Association guidelines regarding the use of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia
• Examine the safety and efficacy data, including real-world data, for the FDA-approved LAI antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia
• Identify the role of the pharmacist in making clinical recommendations regarding the early use of LAI antipsychotics and in optimizing care for patients with schizophrenia to improve clinical outcomes

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-23-189-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through May 2, 2024.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, review the activity in its entirety, complete the posttest, and complete the online activity evaluation. After successful completion of the online activity evaluation, you can submit your credit to CPE Monitor. You may view your credit within 48 hours at www.mycpemonitor.net. All participants must request credit before the activity expiration date. CE credit will not be issued after this date.

Disclosures

The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Faculty

Lisa W. Goldstone, PharmD, MS, BCPS, BCPP

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Dipti Desai, PharmD, MBA, CHCP; Michelle C. Carlson, PharmD; Kylie Ferrentino; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta.

An anonymous peer reviewer was used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewer has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Educational Disclaimer
CPE activities are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or they may be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

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