depot injection
Pronunciation: DEE-poh
A long-acting formulation of medication given by injection that provides sustained drug release over weeks or months.
Full Definition
A depot injection is a pharmaceutical formulation designed to provide sustained release of medication over an extended period, typically weeks to months, following a single injection. In psychopharmacology, depot injections are commonly used for antipsychotic medications to improve medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These formulations use various technologies such as microspheres or oil-based solutions to control drug release. Depot injections can significantly improve treatment outcomes by ensuring consistent medication levels and reducing the burden of daily oral medication administration.
Usage
Usage note: May be hyphenated as 'depot-injection' when used as an adjective.
In Context
- "The depot injection improved adherence compared to daily oral antipsychotic medication." — treatment outcome assessment
- "Depot injections are administered every 4 weeks in the clinic setting." — medication administration schedule