Comparison of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics With Oral Antipsychotics and Suicide and All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Schizophrenia

Key Points Question Is use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) in patients with newly diagnosed schizophrenia associated with decreased mortality? Findings This cohort study included 2614 patients with schizophrenia who switched to LAIs, and 2614 propensity-matched patients who continued receiving oral antipsychotics (OAPs) of the same compounds. Patients who switched to LAIs had lower mortality and fewer suicide attempts compared with patients who continued receiving the corresponding OAPs, and patients who switched to LAIs within the first 2 years of OAP initiation exhibited a 47% reduction in the risk of suicide mortality compared with patients who continued receiving OAPs. Meaning These findings suggest that LAI use in patients with newly diagnosed schizophrenia should be encouraged because of its association with lower premature mortality.