Plain language summary of publication: expert consensus on the early use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics in people with bipolar I disorder

Plain Language Summary: What is this summary about? This summary highlights key insights from expert psychiatrists on the early use of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics for treating people with bipolar I disorder. What were the results? LAI antipsychotics are usually reserved as a ‘last resort’ treatment in people with bipolar I disorder, even though evidence supports their early use. Barriers to earlier use of LAIs include access issues and views that healthcare providers and people with bipolar I disorder have about this type of medication. If the treatment plan of people with bipolar I disorder includes antipsychotics, experts recommend using LAIs as early as possible to help improve long-term outcomes, as part of a shared decision-making approach that involves healthcare providers, people with bipolar I disorder, and their caregivers. What do the results mean? The recommendations offer ways to support informed treatment decisions and improve the care of people with bipolar I disorder. How to say (download PDF and double click sound icon to play sound)… Antipsychotic: an-tie-sy-COT-ick Aripiprazole: a-ri-PIP-ruh-zol Bipolar disorder: by-POL-luh dis-or-der Mania: MAY-nee-uh Psychosis: sy-KOH-sis Long-acting injectable (LAI): A form of medication that is given via a needle into the body and is released in the body over a long period of time. Antipsychotics: Medicines that help manage symptoms of mental health conditions like bipolar disorder. Bipolar I disorder: A long-term mental health condition where individuals have intense mood swings, which can range from depression to mania. This is an abstract of the Plain Language Summary of Publication article. View the full Plain Language Summary PDF of this article to read the full-text Link to original article here.