The role of RLAI in early schizophrenia treatment: critical aspects regarding efficacy and safety

It is well known that there are high levels of response to treatment topatients with a first episode and early schizophrenia. This outcome is hampered by inadequate treatment adherence, which leads to relapse, and high sensitivity to side-effects. Risperidone Long Acting Injectable (RLAI) treatment has proven to be advantageous compared to oral treatment to these early patients, both clinically and pharmacoeconomically. RLAI has proven to improve treatment adherence, prolong time to relapse vs. more chronically ill patients, to improve patient functioning and also to achieve better symptom control in comparison to oral haloperidol, risperidone and also to patients switched from oral olanzapine. Therefore, treatment with atypicals and especially with RLAI to first episode and early patients can alter favorably the course of the schizophrenic disorder.