United Kingdom: Neuroleptic Relapse Prevention

Historical perspective on antipsychotic long-acting injections

“…It became increasingly clear that not only did phenothiazines control the symptoms and distressed behaviour of the acute psychotic illness, but continuous medication for a prolonged period thereafter prevented, delayed or modified a further relapse. 3,11,14,16,17,20,23,33,49–51 It was also demonstrated that continuous, or maintenance, medication could protect individuals with schizophrenia against the stress of their environment which often arose from within their own families, 52,53 and facilitate the delivery of social interventions and rehabilitation which formed part of their treatment package. 9,54 However, approximately 20–25% of all patients with schizophrenia have a good prognosis, independent of active maintenance medication.…”