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 SMI Adviser tip on those available.

Several of the LAIs can be given in different injection sites. The following LAIs can be given in the gluteal site (buttocks muscle) rather than the deltoid site (arm muscle):

• Aripiprazole monohydrate (Abilify Maintena)
• Aripiprazole lauroxil (Aristada)
• Fluphenazine decanoate (Prolixin Dec)
• Haloperidol decanoate (Haldol Dec)
• Paliperidone palmitate 12-week LAI (Invega Trinza)
• Risperidone (Risperdal Consta)

Paliperidone palmitate (Invega Sustenna) must be initiated (first 2 doses) in the deltoid (arm muscle) for faster absorption, but maintenance doses (3rd injection and subsequent) may be given in the gluteal muscle.

Perseris is given subcutaneously (under the skin rather than into a muscle), and it is given in the abdominal area around the belly button.