SMI Adviser Long-Acting Injectable Center of Excellence

Education, resources, and evidence-based answers to help you optimize the use of LAIs
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Welcome to the Long-Acting Injectable (LAI) Center of Excellence (COE)

SMI Adviser created the LAI COE to promote the safe and effective use of LAIs. The ultimate goal of this effort is to improve the lives of individuals who have schizophrenia, schizoaffective, and bipolar disorders. The LAI COE provides clinicians with training opportunities, technical assistance, and vetted resources. These include:

  • Live and on-demand webinars
  • Virtual Learning Collaboratives
  • Virtual Forums
  • Email listserv
  • On-demand consultations
  • Intensive consultation to sites or communities
  • Clinical tips and resources

The LAI COE is led by SMI Nursing Expert, Donna Rolin, PhD, APRN, SMI Adviser Physician Expert, Robert Cotes, MD, and SMI Adviser content partner, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), and supported by members of the LAI Workgroup.

For individual and family resources on using long-acting injectables, visit the individual and family Knowledge Base.

LAI Injection Videos

SMI Adviser is proud to present this five-part video series on the proper preparation and
administration of LAI medications.

Video: Intramuscular (IM) Injection of Long-acting Injectables into Deltoid Site

This video demonstrates how to administer (a long-acting injectable) medication…

Video: Intramuscular (IM) Injection of Long-acting Injectables into Ventral Gluteal (or Ventrogluteal) Site

This video demonstrates how to administer (a long-acting injectable) medication…

Video: Intramuscular (IM) Injection of Long-acting Injectables into Dorsal Gluteal (or Dorsogluteal) Site

This video demonstrates how to administer (a long-acting injectable) medication…

Video: Subcutaneous (SC) Injection of Long-acting Injectables into Lateral Aspect of Upper Arm

This video demonstrates how to administer (a long-acting injectable) medication…

Video: Subcutaneous (SC) Injection of Long-acting Injectables into Abdominal Site

This video demonstrates how to administer (a long-acting injectable) medication…

  • Resources
  • Education
  • Join Us
  • Consultation
Expanding Your Long-Acting Injectable (LAI) Antipsychotic Medication Toolbox

Updates in Proper Use and Administration of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics

Psychiatric Medications in Pregnancy

Learning From Each Other: Reimagining the Role of Medication in Crisis Care

Worth a Shot? Evidence-Based Approach to Prescribing LAI Antipsychotic Medications

A Delicate Dance: The Principles and Practice of Deprescribing Antipsychotic Medications

Approaches to Conversations About Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics

Clinician’s Guide to Preparing and Administering Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics

Maximizing Treatment Success for Patients with SMI: Promoting Adherence and Treatment Engagement

Psychotropic Medications and Older Adults: Update on Safety Considerations

Join the Clozapine and LAI Centers of Excellence Exchange

The Clozapine and LAI Centers of Excellence Exchange engages psychiatrists, nurses/nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other clinicians, providing an opportunity to collaborate on the use of clozapine and long-acting injectables. Sign up for this virtual community and join the conversation!

Sign Up Now

Clozapine & LAI Virtual Forum

Join us for a live peer-to-peer discussion each month to share your challenges and questions on trending topics around clozapine and LAIs. Sign up for the Clozapine and LAI Centers of Excellence Exchange above to receive invitations.

View Past Recordings

Get Expert Guidance on Questions Around LAIs

Submit any questions you have on managing side effects, assessment and monitoring, medical comorbidities, and any other topic. Receive a response within one business day from one of our national experts.

How should long-acting injectables be initiated?
How much oral overlap is recommended with the first-generation antipsychotic decanoates?
What are the main differences between the aripiprazole long-acting injectables (LAIs)?

Trending Topics

Use our Knowledge Base to find evidence-based answers and resources on LAIs. Here are some new and popular topics — all vetted by our Clinical Expert Team.

What do APA’s Schizophrenia Treatment Guidelines say about long-acting injectable antipsychotics?

On September 1, 2020, the American Psychiatric Association released a…

What long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medications are available in the U.S.?

See clinical tips available (linked below) on individual LAIs for…

What should clinicians know about Perseris (risperidone subcutaneous LAI)?

Perseris is a long-acting injectable (LAI) formulation of risperidone. It…

What mistakes should providers be aware of when prescribing and administering long-acting injectables (LAIs)?

Mistakes in preparation:

Not all injections are given the…

How do I treat an acute dystonic reaction (ADR)?

ADRs are best avoided as this acute neurological side effect…

How are prolactin levels impacted by long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medications?

Hyperprolactinemia is often caused by the use of antipsychotic medications,…

What can be done if a LAI medication becomes less effective part way through the inter-injection interval?

There are several reasons why a LAI medication might have…

What are clinical considerations for giving LAIs during the COVID-19 public health emergency?

Since LAI antipsychotics need…

I am going to start a new long-acting injectable antipsychotic (LAI) medication soon. I’m worried about how much injections hurt when I get them in my arm, so are there other options about where to get the shot?

There are many different options of LAIs available. See this…

What is shared decision making and how does it apply to using long-acting injectables (LAIs)?

Shared Decision Making (SDM) is a collaborative process between a…

LAI Medication Fact Sheets

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Tips on Starting or Switching LAIs

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Tips on Administration and Monitoring

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Tips on Managing Side Effects

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Tips on Challenges

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Information and Handouts for Individuals and Families

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LAI Explorer

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LAI Conversion Tool

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View Past Recordings

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Clozapine & LAI Virtual Forum

Join us for a live peer-to-peer discussion each month to share your challenges and questions on trending topics around clozapine and LAIs. Sign up for the Clozapine and LAI Centers of Excellence Exchange above to receive email invitations.

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