A large list of benefits have been atributed to the long-acting-risperidone-injection (LARI) when treating the mentally ill, such us; less side effects, tolerability improvement, and better medication compliance.

Description of a sample of patients in treatment at a Valencian Psychiatric Medical Center (Buñol), with LARI; diagnosis, reasons why LARI was introduced and document the evolution of oral treatment since LARI was introduced.

Observational descriptive study. 32 patients included, from a Buñol Psychiatric Medical Center, treated with LARI.

Assessments included sociodemographic data (sex. age, diagnosis, years illness, LARI dose, number of pills per day taken when LARI was introduced and at present time). SPSS (v15.0).

N=32 patients; 3 women, 29 men.

Diagnosis; 65% Psychotic Disorders (47% Schizophrenia, 15% Schizoafective disorder, 3%

Delusional Disorder) 12,5% Personality Disorders, 9,5%

Mentally Retarded, 12,5% Other

Reasons why LARI was introduced; 47% non compliance, 37% side effects with oral or other LAI treatment (long acting injection).

LARI treatment duration; 5 years (rank 1–14) and the LARI mean dose; 68 mg/14 days (rank 25–150 mg).

Mean number of pills/day when LARI was introduced; 5,5 pills/d (rank 1–13), and at present time; 4 pills/day (rank 0–11).

Oral antipsychotic treatment was retired in; 37,5%.

Non compilance is the main handicap physicians have to deal with; the CATIE study revealed that 74% abandoned treatment. Though it is difficult to reach monotherapy, a long acting injection antipsychotic (such us LARI), can help to simplify oral treatment, and therefore improve adherence, essential for an adequate clinical outcome.