Comparison of Long-Acting Injectable and Oral Antipsychotics in Bipolar Disorder

The authors aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIAs) versus oral antipsychotics in individuals with bipolar disorder, specifically regarding health care utilization and illness relapse. The study found that LAIAs were associated with significantly lower rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for manic and mixed episodes, while not increasing the risk of nonpsychiatric hospitalizations. These results suggest that LAIAs may be a beneficial treatment option for bipolar disorder, although monitoring for extrapyramidal symptoms is recommended during the initial treatment phase.