Peter Norrie
Chief Psychiatrist, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Title: The place for early use of long acting injectables in managing schizophrenia... An Australian Clinician's experience and viewpoint
Biography
Biography: Peter Norrie
Abstract
Injectable medications have often been viewed as a last resort or when definitive non-adherence is clearly apparent. Debates about treatment resistance or resistance to treatment can delay the pragmatic need to discuss injections as an option. The consideration of injectables early in the course of the illness ensures effective treatment and in many cases a paradoxical opportunity to engage the patient, bring back control of the situation, reduce symptoms and restore/improve cognition. This can then be seen as a positive response to managing a difficult illness instead of the step of failures in moving away from oral medications that have been ineffective for whatever reason. In this presentation, there will be an historical summary of schizophrenia treatments followed by the case for injectables. Case studies will illustrate the options for treatment at a number of illness stages.