4.2.2. Antipsychotic depot injections
When considering a first-line choice of long-acting injectable antipsychotic, a first-generation depot medicine should be chosen from the NHSGGC Formulary. The exception to this is where there is good evidence of effect with a specific second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) oral medication favouring its use as an LAI and where compliance, concordance, adherence or persistence with the oral medication is problematic. A second-line choice in the event of treatment failure or emergent, intolerable side-effects with the first-line choice would be an alternative first-generation depot medicine. Again, the exception to this is if there are emergent side-effects including EPSEs or Tardive Dyskinesia, where formulary SGA LAI would be considered.
For further information, see the NHSGGC depot (LAI) algorithm.
Restrictions:
Use for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in adult patients stabilised with oral aripiprazole is restricted to use under the overall supervision of a psychiatrist.
Prescribing Notes:
The 1-monthly long-acting injection is now available generically and is the formulary option in NHSGGC.
The 2-monthly long-acting injections (720mg and 960mg) remain currently branded as Abilify Maintena and are non-formulary in NHSGGC.
For further information, see the NHSGGC depot (LAI) algorithm.
Restrictions:
Restricted to specialist initiation only.
Prescribing Notes:
For further information, see the NHSGGC depot (LAI) algorithm.
Restrictions:
Restricted to specialist initiation only.
Prescribing Notes:
For further information, see the NHSGGC depot (LAI) algorithm.
Restrictions:
See Prescribing Notes for further details.
Prescribing Notes:
Formulary indication:
- The maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in adult patients stabilised with paliperidone or risperidone is restricted to use under the overall supervision of a psychiatrist. The preferred formulation in NHSGGC is the monthly injection as per NHSGGC mental health services LAI Algorithm.
For relevant SMC advice on Xeplion® click here.
Trevicta® and Byannli® are non-formulary.
Restrictions:
Restricted to specialist initiation only.
Prescribing Notes:
For further information, see the NHSGGC depot (LAI) algorithm.

