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Michael J Doane,1 Martha Sajatovic,2 Peter J Weiden,1 Amy K O’Sullivan,1 Stephen Maher,3 Jakob B Bjorner,3 Asia Sikora Kessler,3 Julia Carpenter-Conlin,1 Leona Bessonova,1 Dawn I Velligan4 1Alkermes, Inc, Waltham, MA, USA; 2University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA; 3Optum, Patient Insights, Johnston, RI, USA; 4The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USACorrespondence: Leona BessonovaAlkermes, Inc, 852 Winter Street, Waltham, MA, USATel +1 781 609 6439Email Leona.Bessonova@alkermes.comBackground: This survey examined the experiences of people living with schizophrenia who have used oral antipsychotics (APs).Methods: Adults with self-reported physician-diagnosed schizophrenia (N=200), who were members of an online research participation panel and reported taking one or more oral APs within the last year, completed a cross-sectional online survey that focused on direct report of their experiences regarding APs (eg, symptoms, side effects, adherence). Descriptive analyses were conducted for the total survey sample and for subgroups defined a priori by experience with specific, prevalent side effects.Results: The mean age of the sample was 41.9 (SD=11.0) years, 50% of participants were female, and 32% were nonwhite. Overall ratings were positive for medication effectiveness and convenience but negative for side effects. While most participants reported that APs improved schizophrenia symptoms (92%), 27% reported APs as having done “more harm than good.” Almost all participants (98%) reported experiencing side effects of APs, with the most common being anxiety (88%), feeling drowsy/tired (86%), and trouble concentrating (85%). Side effects frequently cited as either “extremely” or “very” bothersome were weight gain (56%), sexual dysfunction (55%), and trouble concentrating (54%). Over 80% reported that side effects had negatively impacted their work and social functioning (eg, social ... |