An audit of risperidone long acting injection in Lincolnshire, UK

Abstract

Risperidone long acting injection (RLAI) is the first injectable atypical antipsychotic to be licensed in the UK. This study reports the outcomes of patients prescribed RLAI in Lincolnshire Partnership Trust during two years period following its launch.

Aim and methodology:

That RLAI are prescribed appropriately and patients are monitored on an ongoing basis. An audit tool was sent to each psychiatrist, data were collected retrospectively on 28 patients.

Results:

Out of 28 patients 19 still taking RLAI. Data not available on one patient. All patients had received oral atypical prior to RLAI. 23 were exposed to oral Risperidone. 80% reported significant improvement only 5 experienced mild side effects. 21 suffered from Schizophrenia and 6 from Bipolar Affective Disorder. At the time of initiation, 25 in patients and 3 in community. Significant improvement noted 2 months and 7 months after initiation. All of them were monitored regularly.

Conclusions:

RLAI appears well tolerated and markedly effective in vast majority of patients only 3 patients showed negative response. RLAI can offer considerable benefit to a significant number of patients suffering from Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorder with psychotic symptoms.