OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of psychotropic drug consumption among the Great Buenos Aires general population and to compare this prevalence between its different areas and with Buenos Aires city. METHODS A survey was conducted among 1877 inhabitants of different districts of the Great Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area. RESULTS At the time of the survey, 7 % of the general population was using some kind of psychotropic medication. Utilization was higher in women, the elderly and individuals of middle or high social class and educational level extremes. Almost 10 percent of the consumers was using the medication without medical advice, and 35.6% recognized themselves as very dependent on these medications. Psychotropic drug utilization is higher in the North area (10.9% ) than in the West area (6.3% ) and the South area (4.2%). The present percentage of psychotropic drug use in the Great Buenos Aires area is lower than half the one in Buenos Aires city, and it's more due to medical advice. These differences are not exclusively caused by demographic differences. CONCLUSIONS Psychotropic drug use in the Great Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area is similar to other countries, but lower than in Buenos Aires city. Qualitive studies are needed to elucidate the causes of this difference.