One-Month versus Three-Month Formulation of Paliperidone Palmitate Treatment in Psychotic Disorders: Patients’, Relatives’, and Mental Health Professionals’ Perspectives

S Kor Spoelstra,1,2 Jojanneke Bruins,2 Leonie Bais,2 Paul Seerden,3 Stynke Castelein,2,4 Henderikus Knegtering2,5 1Addiction Care North Netherlands, Groningen, the Netherlands; 2Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Groningen, the Netherlands; 3GGZ Friesland Psychiatric Institute, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands; 4University of Groningen, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, Groningen, the Netherlands; 5University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Rob Giel Research Center, Groningen, the NetherlandsCorrespondence: S Kor Spoelstra, Addiction care North Netherlands, Leonard Springerlaan 27, Groningen, 9727 KB, the Netherlands, Tel +31503648900, Fax +31503648999, Email k.spoelstra@vnn.nlPurpose: Paliperidone palmitate is the only available long acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic with a monthly and three-monthly formulation. LAIs may help battle non-adherence. Studies about the experiences of switching from the monthly (PP1M) to the three-monthly formulation (PP3M) of paliperidone are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the perspectives of patients, relatives, and mental health professionals on PP3M compared with PP1M.Material and Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective, non-interventional one-time questionnaire survey among patients with psychotic disorders who switched from PP1M to PP3M (n = 38), their relatives (n = 13) and mental health professionals (n = 38). General satisfaction and (un)desired effects were measured using the Medication Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) and the Subjects’ Reaction to Antipsychotics (SRA), respectively. Additional questionnaires assessed socio-demographic variables, preference, effectiveness, side-effects, and confidence in PP3M compared to PP1M.Results: Mean number of received PP3M injections was 4.2 (SD 2.5). The three study groups reported a high level of confidence in PP3M. High general satisfaction rates about PP3M among patients (69%) and mental health professionals (95%) were reported. The majority of patients, relatives, and mental health professionals reported similar or in some cases even greater effectiveness and similar or in some cases even less side-effects of PP3M compared to PP1M. Sixty-seven percent of the relatives reported less concerns about non-adherence after switching to PP3M.Conclusion: Most patients, relatives, and mental health professionals prefer PP3M over PP1M. The positive attitudes of all parties may facilitate the more frequent use of PP3M and potentially the clinical outcomes.Keywords: paliperidone palmitate 3-monthly, long-acting injectable antipsychotics, psychotic disorders, mental health professionals, family, perspectives