Complications at site of injection of depot neuroleptics

Abstract

Although depot preparations are used extensively in psychiatry, few published reports mention the occurrence of complications at the site of injection. There are occasional reports of subcutaneous lumps and indurations; muscle granulomas; medication oozing from, and fibrosis at, the injection site; abscess formation; and the accumulation of oil after repeated large volume injections.1 Such local complications can affect quality of life and adversely influence compliance. They are potentially dangerous and may alter the bioavailability. If severe they can prevent further injections. The results of a number of recent studies suggest that the incidence of these local complications has been underestimated.2 I therefore undertook this prospective study to estimate the prevalence and type of injection complications and, if possible, to determine which variables were associated with local reactions. Complications were divided into acute and chronic types. Acute problems occurred as discrete …