What Is Long-Acting Medicine Given by Injection?
Long-acting medicines given by injection are released slowly and steadily in the body. This allows the medicine to work for weeks at a time. As a result, the medicine does not need to be taken every day.
Most long-acting medicines given by injection are given in certain muscles of the body, such as:
- The buttocks (also called the gluteus muscle)
- The upper arm (also called the deltoid muscle)
In clinical studies, no patients receiving injections of RISPERDAL® CONSTA® in the upper arm stopped because of pain or reaction in the injection area.
In clinical studies of people with schizophrenia, some people receiving injections of RISPERDAL® CONSTA® in the upper buttock reported they had little pain and that later injections were less painful.
Other serious injection site reactions have occurred with the use of RISPERDAL® CONSTA® . Talk to your doctor for more information.
Some people may be self-conscious about receiving long-acting medicine given by an injection in the buttocks, but your nurse or doctor is there to help you feel more comfortable. In most cases, you will be asked to expose only a small area of skin. Remember that the injection will be over quickly, but the benefits can last a long time. If you’d prefer, you may be able to receive the injection in your arm, so talk to you doctor to discuss this option.
