Understanding patient preferences for long-acting injectable (LAI) versus oral antipsychotics can help reduce barriers to LAI use in schizophrenia. Post hoc analyses from a randomized study (NCT01515423) of 3-monthly versus 1-monthly paliperidone palmitate were conducted, using data from the Medication Preference Questionnaire. This included reasons for general treatment preference, personal experience, injection site (deltoid versus gluteal), and dosing frequency (3-monthly versus 1-monthly). Logistic regression assessed the effect of baseline variables on preference.

Among the 1402 patients analyzed, those preferring LAIs valued feeling healthier (57%), resuming activities (56%), and not having to think about medication (54%). Reasons for preferring LAIs over pills included ease of use (67% vs. 18%), feeling more in control (64% vs. 14%), and experiencing less pain (38% vs. 18%). Most patients (59%) preferred deltoid injections over gluteal for faster administration (63%), ease (51%), and less embarrassment (44%). Additionally, 50% preferred 3-monthly over 1-monthly (38%) or daily (3%) dosing, citing fewer injections (96%), less pain (84%), and fewer doctor visits (80%). Logistic regression showed 77% preferred LAIs over pills, with culture and race influencing this preference.

Reference: Blackwood C, Sanga P, Nuamah I, et al. Patients’ Preference for Long-Acting Injectable versus Oral Antipsychotics in Schizophrenia: Results from the Patient-Reported Medication Preference Questionnaire. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2020 Jul 2;14:1093-1102. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S251812. PMID: 32753849; PMCID: PMC7342487.