Get The Plan
← Answers

Are long-acting injections a good option for my loved one?

The short answer

For many people, they can be.

A long-acting injection releases medication slowly, so there is no daily pill to remember. Research links injections to fewer relapses and hospital stays. The best fit usually comes from a decision your loved one helps make.

Call or text 988 any time, day or night.

Call 911 if there is immediate danger.

Last reviewed: Oct 23, 2026

What is the key fact?

A 2021 review in The Lancet Psychiatry looked at 137 studies covering more than 397,000 people with schizophrenia. Long-acting injections were linked to a lower risk of hospitalization or relapse than daily pills in all three types of studies it examined.

What are you carrying?

You may be tired of counting pills, asking whether doses were taken, and bracing for the next relapse.

What the research shows

In the same review, most other outcomes it compared, including safety, showed no difference between injections and pills.

The American Psychiatric Association's 2020 guideline suggests a long-acting injection when a person prefers it or has a history of poor or uncertain adherence.

Schedules depend on the medication. According to MedlinePlus, one long-acting medication is given monthly at first, and later can be given every three or six months.

What happens next?

  1. Ask the prescriber about options. Ask which injections match the current medication, how often each is given, and whether a trial of the pill form comes first. This gives your loved one real choices to weigh.
  2. Ask what matters to your loved one. Fewer reminders, fewer arguments about pills, or more privacy are reasons some people prefer injections. Starting from their goals keeps the conversation about them.
  3. Talk through the worries. Ask the care team about injection-site soreness, fear of needles, and side effects. Knowing what to expect can ease the fear behind a refusal.
  4. Check coverage before the first dose. Call the insurance plan or ask the clinic to check, since costs and approval steps vary by plan.
  5. Know where the limits are. An adult can usually decline treatment. Court-ordered treatment is possible only in limited situations, and the rules vary by state.

What helped other families

From the community. Family members who've been through this shared what helped them. These are their experiences, not professional advice.

  • One partner said switching from daily pills to an injection ended the daily arguments about medication.
  • A parent said telling the doctor about rapid weight gain led to a switch to a different injection, and the weight gain eased.

Which programs are near you?

Programs where you live: Illinois | Wisconsin | DC | Maryland | Virginia | California.

One next step, if it helps: If you're weighing injections and not sure how to raise it, try The Session. It is one hour with Salleha, our founder, plus one follow-up, for $249.

Book The Session

This is general information, not legal or medical advice.

FAQ

Q: Can my loved one be made to get a long-acting injection?

An adult can usually decline treatment. Court-ordered treatment is possible only in limited situations, and the rules vary by state.

Q: How often are long-acting injections given?

It depends on the medication. Some are given monthly, and at least one can later be given every three or six months.

Q: Do long-acting injections cause more side effects than pills?

A 2021 review in The Lancet Psychiatry found that most outcomes it compared, including safety, did not differ between injections and pills. Side effects still depend on the specific medication.

Sources

Related guides