The use of depot medications in the treatment of schizophrenia.

摘要

An industry-sponsored randomized, double-blind trial of depot olanzapine for the prevention of relapse of schizophrenia is reported in this issue (1). Its publication raises several issues for readers who wish to use the results of the study to guide their clinical practice. First, what is the effect on the results of the study from the potential bias of the pharmaceutical company that sponsored it? Second, are depot medications safe and effective in chronic illness such as schizophrenia?