New approaches to antipsychotic medication adherence - safety, tolerability and acceptability

Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2021 Sep 19. doi: 10.1080/14740338.2021.1983540. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: Antipsychotic pharmacotherapy is considered first-line treatment in schizophrenia-related disorders and is associated with favorable prognosis and lower mortality rates. However, low adherence rates present a major clinical challenge. In this paper we will review contemporary approaches to improve adherence to antipsychotic treatment, considering their mechanism of action, safety, tolerability and acceptability.AREAS COVERED: Novel pharmacological delivery methods such as different routes of administration of registered medications (such as intramuscular clozapine preparation and transdermal asenapine), modifications of existing compounds (such as 3-monthly injectable formulation of paliperidone palmitate) and increased interest in oral long-acting medication formulations (such as with penfluridol). In addition, we reviewed innovative technology to monitor adherence, based on the use of electronic digital medicine systems and ingestible sensors.EXPERT OPINION: All of these diverse approaches were clinically relevant in enhancing treatment adherence and found to be safe and tolerable. The place of each approach is predicated on a personalized approach in each patient and future research could usefully use large comparative studies to establish robust treatment guidelines. The implementation of new and varied approaches to antipsychotic treatment adherence are welc...
Source: Expert Opinion on Drug Safety - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Source Type: research