Depot Antipsychotic Medications
Medication* | Dosaging Interval |
|---|---|
Aripiprazole, long-acting, injectableAripiprazole, long-acting, injectable | Monthly |
Fluphenazine decanoateFluphenazine decanoate | Every 2–4 weeks |
Fluphenazine enanthateFluphenazine enanthate | Every 1–2 weeks |
Haloperidol decanoateHaloperidol decanoate | Every 28 days (3- to 5-week range is acceptable) |
Olanzapine pamoate†Olanzapine pamoate† | Every 2 or 4 weeks |
Paliperidone Paliperidone | Dose on day 1, day 8; then once monthly starting 5 weeks later |
Risperidone microspheres‡Risperidone microspheres‡ | Every 2 weeks |
* Medications are given IM with Z-track technique. | |
† Olanzapine pamoate may cause rare but significant sedation, so patients must be observed for 3 hours after the injection.† Olanzapine pamoate may cause rare but significant sedation, so patients must be observed for 3 hours after the injection. | |
‡ Because of a 3-week lag time between first injection and achievement of adequate blood levels, patients should continue taking oral antipsychotics for 3 weeks after the first injection. Assessment of tolerability with oral risperidone is recommended before initiating IM therapy.‡ Because of a 3-week lag time between first injection and achievement of adequate blood levels, patients should continue taking oral antipsychotics for 3 weeks after the first injection. Assessment of tolerability with oral risperidone is recommended before initiating IM therapy. | |