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LAI Navigator

Long-acting injectable antipsychotics deliver scheduled doses that can support adherence and reduce relapse risk.

Use this hub to understand the process from decision-making through follow-up, then dive into the navigator cards for formulation specifics.

Understanding long-acting injectables

LAIs are depot formulations of antipsychotic medications injected every few weeks to months, releasing medicine gradually between visits.

  • They can help when remembering daily pills is difficult, when relapse risk is high, or when shared decision-making lands on a structured schedule.
  • Each product is tied to a parent oral medication (e.g., aripiprazole, paliperidone).
  • Intervals range from two weeks to six months depending on formulation; the navigator highlights each schedule.

All injections should be guided by the official label and individual care plan.

When to consider an LAI

Discuss injectables when you or your patient want dependable coverage, fewer daily reminders, or structured follow-up.

  • History of missed oral doses, frequent hospitalizations, or barriers to daily medication can signal benefit.
  • Some people choose LAIs to simplify routines during work, school, or caregiving responsibilities.
  • Make space to review preferences—needle concerns, travel schedules, clinic access—before deciding.

Shared decision-making and cultural considerations should guide whether an LAI feels supportive.

Preparing for the first injection

A smooth start includes education, baseline labs, and coordination between clinics and pharmacies.

  • Confirm insurance coverage, prior authorizations, and pharmacy stocking timelines.
  • Review baseline labs (metabolic panel, prolactin, CBC) based on the parent medication and patient history.
  • Explain the plan for oral overlap or loading doses so everyone knows how long to continue oral tablets.

Document preferred clinic, injection site (deltoid vs. gluteal), and transportation needs.

What to expect on injection day

Knowing the steps reduces anxiety and keeps visits efficient.

  • Arrive with recent symptoms, side effects, and questions so the care team can adjust if needed.
  • The clinician will verify the medication, dose, interval, and injection site, then administer the shot—lasting just a few seconds.
  • Plan for observation when required (e.g., post-injection monitoring for olanzapine pamoate).

Ask for after-visit summaries outlining next injection dates and contact numbers.

After the injection

Side-effect monitoring and symptom tracking help fine-tune future doses.

  • Watch for injection-site reactions, muscle stiffness, or emerging EPS. Report sudden fevers or severe pain immediately.
  • Track mood, sleep, and functioning to see how the interval fits daily life.
  • Schedule labs and vital checks (weight, BMI, fasting labs, Prolactin if indicated) per the parent medication’s guidance.

Compare LAI options side by side

When you need a quick contrast, move from education into the tooling clinicians rely on.

  • Open the LAI Navigator grid below to review interval, injection site, and oral overlap requirements for each formulation.
  • Launch a custom compare view of parent medications to align oral and depot considerations.
  • Visit individual drug pages for Monitoring & Labs tables, printable summaries, and DailyMed references before each visit.

Use the share button in the compare tool to keep multidisciplinary teams aligned on chosen regimens.

Staying current with evidence

Keep treatment decisions grounded in the latest data.

Understand terms:LAIOral overlapPDSS

Aripiprazole (Asimtufii)

Parent
Aripiprazole
Interval
Every 2 months (q8wk)
Oral overlap
Yes — 14-day oral overlap or 1-day init regimen (see label)
Site
Gluteal
  • Confirm CYP2D6/CYP3A4 dose adjustments before starting

Citations

LabelPMCID

Paliperidone palmitate (PP1M/PP3M/PP6M)

Parent
Paliperidone
Interval
Monthly / q3mo / q6mo
Oral overlap
None after loading sequence
Site
Deltoid (initiation) or gluteal
  • PP1M loading: Day 1 deltoid 234 mg, Day 8 deltoid 156 mg
  • PP3M/PP6M require stabilization on PP1M/PP3M first

Citations

LabelLabelLabelPMCID

Risperidone (Perseris)

Parent
Risperidone
Interval
Monthly (q4wk)
Oral overlap
None after first injection (establish oral tolerability first)
Site
Subcutaneous (abdomen or back of arm)
  • Neither a loading dose nor oral supplementation is recommended after initiation (verify in labeling)

Citations

LabelPMID

Risperidone (Uzedy)

Parent
Risperidone
Interval
q4wk or q8wk (by dose)
Oral overlap
None after first injection (establish oral tolerability first)
Site
Subcutaneous (abdomen or back of arm)
  • Monthly and every-2-month schedules use different dose strengths (verify conversion tables in label)

Citations

LabelPMCID

Educational only — not medical advice. Verify administration and overlap specifics in official labeling.