Throughout America, over two million people are diagnosed with schizophrenia, a brain disorder that impairs a person's ability to think clearly, relate to others and distinguish between reality and imagination. "Symptom stability" can be achieved by patients with the available medications. However, many schizophrenics find it difficult to keep a consistent schedule with taking their medications. When taken every two weeks, Risperdal Consta maintains therapeutic levels of medication, and extinguishes the need for a patient to take oral antipsychotic medicines daily. On October 29, 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Aministration approved Risperdal Consta for the treatment of schizophrenia, and it is now available in the United States.

Risperdal Consta, administered by way of injection, is a long-acting formulation of risperidone, the most widely prescribed antipsychotic medication. Risperdal has been shown to not only reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia in many patients who were considered to be stable on...