Would I LAI To You? When and Why to Consider Long-Acting Injectable Formulations

Hara Oyedeji, DNP, PMHNP-BC, MSEd

Overview: In this session, Dr. Hara E. Oyedeji will help psychiatrists evaluate when and why to consider long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics for patients with serious mental illness, including first-episode psychosis and bipolar disorder. The program begins by examining how prolonged untreated psychosis, medication nonadherence, and recurrent relapse can worsen clinical, functional, and psychosocial outcomes. Next, the presentation will compare LAI and oral treatment strategies using evidence from randomized trials, cohort studies, and real-world analyses. The activity will also explore the potential benefits of introducing LAIs earlier in the illness course, including improved treatment continuity and reduced risks of relapse and hospitalization.

Through clinically focused evidence and case-based guidance, participants will learn how to identify appropriate LAI candidates and match treatment features to individual needs and preferences. The session will address dosing intervals, administration routes, oral overlap, adverse-effect risks, missed-dose management, and monitoring requirements. It will also emphasize shared decision making, autonomy-supportive language, appropriate caregiver involvement, and coordinated teamwork to overcome stigma, access barriers, and practical challenges throughout LAI initiation and maintenance.

Industry Session^†: Helping Close The Evidence Gap in Adjunctive MDD Treatment: A Network Meta-Analysis (NMA) Review

Overview: Review the evidence for atypical antipsychotics indicated as adjunctive therapy for adults with major depressive disorder, explore how network meta-analyses (NMAs) can provide context when head-to-head studies are unavailable, and review findings from a peer-reviewed NMA of these treatments.

Break

Wanna Go Steady? How to Initiate and Maintain Treatment Using Long-Acting Injectable Formulations

Leslie Citrome, MD, MPH

Overview: In this session, Dr. Leslie Citrome will help psychiatrists initiate and maintain long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic treatment for patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar I disorder. The program begins by examining how medication interruptions and recurrent relapse affect long-term clinical and functional outcomes. Next, the presentation will compare available first- and second-generation LAIs according to FDA-approved indications, efficacy, tolerability, dosing interval, route of administration, and other practical differences. The activity will also address how patient preferences, prior response, adverse-effect risk, and treatment feasibility should guide formulation selection.

Through clinically focused evidence and case-based guidance, participants will learn how to transition patients from oral treatment to an LAI, between LAI formulations, and from an LAI back to oral therapy. The session will review product-specific loading and oral-overlap requirements, injection techniques, storage and preparation, missed-dose protocols, and post-injection monitoring. It will also emphasize longitudinal assessment of symptom control, functioning, metabolic effects, movement disorders, treatment burden, and emerging adverse effects to support safe and sustainable maintenance therapy.

Industry Session^†: Olanzapine Treatment for Schizophrenia: Safety and Efficacy of TV-44749, a Subcutaneous Long-Acting Injectable Formulation of Olanzapine

Overview: This session will highlight new SOLARIS data on the safety and efficacy of TV-44749, alongside evidence supporting its controlled-release profile and potential to minimize PDSS risk. The presentation will also examine clinician perceptions of olanzapine and persistent unmet needs in schizophrenia treatment.

Live Panel Q&A