Investigation of depot neuroleptic injection site reactions

Aims and method A cross-sectional survey was performed on 318 patients receiving depot medication. The presence or absence of a depot site reaction was recorded by psychiatric nursing staff on a standardised form. Results Seventeen per cent of patients were found to have clinically significant depot site reactions. Such reactions were associated with increased frequency of injection and increased total volume of depot administered in the previous 12 months. The severity of a depot site reaction was unrelated to the concentration of depot preparation administered. Clinical implications Depot site reactions may be reduced by maximising the interval between injections and using low volume (highly concentrated) preparations of depot neuroleptic medication.