Comparison of injectable and oral antipsychotics in relapse rates in a pragmatic 30-month schizophrenia relapse prevention study

Abstract

Objective: In a pragmatic clinical trial, this study sought t compare relapses among patients receiving either longactin injectable or oral second-generation antipsychotics Methods: PROACTIVE (Preventing Relapse Oral Antipsychotic Compared to Injectables Evaluating Efficacy), a prio 30-month relapse prevention study, compared use of long-Acting injectable second-generation antipsychoti with use of an oral second-generation antipsychotic by 30 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder an found similar rates of first relapse between groups (42% wit injectable medication, 32% with oral medication). This stud examined subsequent relapses among patients who ha relapsed in PROACTIVE and who continued in treatment follow-up, or both Results: Thirty-Two patients (11%) experienced two relapses and 13 patients (4%) had three relapses. Neither rate of relaps nor time to successive relapses differed betwee treatment groups Conclusions: There was an impressively low rate of subsequen relapses in this pragmatic clinical trial. Becaus all patients had a clinic visit according to the biweekl long-Acting injectable medication administration schedule frequent contact may have contributed to low relapse rates Maintaining frequent clinical contact may be a valid psychosocia relapse prevention treatment.