Schizophrenia is a costly psychiatric condition due to its refractory nature, frequent relapses, and need for hospitalizations that are often due to patients not habitually taking their psychiatric medications. Risperidone long-acting injectable, the first available long-acting atypical antipsychotic, was recently introduced and may be one method of improving patient compliance, thus potentially improving fuctioning and decreasing overall costs. However, few studies comparing Risperdal Consta� related to cost or Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores have been done in the USA and none have addressed both matters. Due to the dearth in the research on effects and benefits of use of the long-lasting injectable in patients, the effects on cost and patient functioning of using the long-acting injectable over time are unclear. The expected implications for practice for this capstone project was that the patient taking Risperidone long-acting injectable (Risperdal Consta�) for six months may demonstrate improvement in the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores and decreased overall cost of psychiatric medications from initiation of this medication as compared to oral risperidone. Overall, cost containment and efficacy were expected from this medication (Risperdal Consta�) usage.
