Lilly discusses importance of schizophrenia medication

Lilly has asserted that patients with schizophrenia who discontinue their medication are more likely to have a relapse.

Dr Holland Detke, clinical research scientist at the company, made this comment after the firm presented data on olanzapine long-acting injection (LAI) yesterday (May 18th) at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting.

The investigation compound unites pamoic acid with the atypical antipsychotic Zyprexa (olanzapine).

During clinical trials of the treatment, 46.3 per cent of patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder stopped taking it.

Some 23.4 per cent of cases were due to the individual’s decision. A further 6.7 per cent had to discontinue the drug because of adverse events.

“Four out of five patients who stop taking their medications after a first episode of schizophrenia will have a relapse,” remarked Dr Detke.

“The more relapses a patient has, the more difficult it becomes for them to recover from each successive relapse.”

Currently, Olanzapine LAI is approved in the EU and is marketed under the name Zypadhera.

On May 20th, thousands of Lilly employees are due to volunteer as part of the company’s Global Day of Service.