Risperdal

The active ingredient in Risperdal is risperidone. The exact mechanism of action of Risperdal is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve its interaction with dopamine and serotonin receptors. By balancing these neurotransmitters, Risperdal can help alleviate the symptoms of psychosis, mood swings, and behavioral disturbances.

Follow all directions given by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full prescribing information, FDA-approved product labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Risperdal. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Risperdal:

Timing:

• Take Risperdal at the same time every day.
• Can be taken with or without food.

Administering the Medication:

• Swallow the regular tablet whole with water.
• For orally disintegrating tablets, place the tablet on your tongue and let it dissolve. Do not swallow the tablet whole.
• Measure the liquid form with the provided dosing syringe or cup. Mix it with water, coffee, orange juice, or low-fat milk, if needed.
• To avoid side effects, your doctor most likely will put you on a low dose to start your treatment.

Missed Dose:

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

Regular Check-Ups:

• Attend all scheduled appointments with your healthcare provider to monitor your progress and any side effects.
• Blood tests or other medical evaluations may be necessary.

Stopping the Medication:

• Do not stop taking Risperdal abruptly without consulting your healthcare provider. It may need to be tapered off gradually.

The most common side effects of Risperdal seen in clinical trials as compared to placebo include:

Adults:

• Muscle stiffness, muscle tightening, difficulty with movement
• Extreme sleepiness
• Restlessness, trouble remaining still
• Tremor
• Increase prolactin levels
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Repetitive movements, abnormal postures
• Blurry vision
• Diarrhea
• Drooling
• Feeling tired or having low energy
• Stomach discomfort
• Constipation

Children:

• Extreme sleepiness/ drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Muscle stiffness, muscle tightening, difficulty with movement
• Heartburn
• Sore throat
• Anxiety
• Blurry vision
• Diarrhea
• Feeling more hungry
• Rash
• Repetitive movements, abnormal postures
• Restlessness, trouble remaining still

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Risperdal. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Stroke
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
• Dangerously high blood pressure
• Seizures
• Serious infections
• Tardive dyskinesia
• Difficulty swallowing
• Severe allergic reaction. Symptoms could include:
• Trouble breathing
• Hives
• Swelling of the mouth, lips, or face
• Weight gain/a rise in blood sugar (blood cholesterol levels), which can cause or worsen diabetes; this may cause ketoacidosis, which could be life-threatening.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Risperdal. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Risperdal, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have:

• Heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems (irregular heartbeat), stroke, or heart attack
• Diabetes (or risk factors such as obesity or family history of diabetes)
• Low white blood cell (WBC) counts
• Liver or kidney disease
• Seizures
• Breast cancer
• Low bone mineral density
• Parkinson's disease
• Trouble swallowing
• Phenylketonuria (PKU)
• If you are dehydrated
• An unusual or allergic reaction to risperidone, paliperidone, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives

Boxed warnings

Risperdal carries a boxed warning. It states that there is an increased rate of mortality in elderly patients who have dementia-related psychosis. Such patients who are treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Therefore, Risperdal is not approved to be used in patients with dementia-related psychosis.

You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have:

Known hypersensitivity to Risperdal or any of its ingredients.

Risperdal (risperidone), an atypical antipsychotic, typically starts to work within 1 to 2 weeks, but the full therapeutic effects may take 4 to 6 weeks or longer, depending on the condition being treated and the individual's response.

When Risperdal is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Carbamazepine and other enzyme inducers that can decrease plasma concentrations of risperidone.
• Fluoxetine, paroxetine, and other CYP2D6 enzyme inhibitors.
• Rifampin
• Clozapine

Risperdal comes in multiple dosage forms and strengths, including:

Orall tablets:

0.5 mg

1 mg

2 mg

3 mg

4 mg

Risperdal oral solution in the following strengths:

1 mg per mL

Orally disintegrating tablets in the following strengths:

0.5 mg

1 mg

2 mg

3 mg

4 mg

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Keep the medication out of reach of children.

Risperdal (risperidone) is manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, a multinational healthcare company.

Currently, there are lower-cost generics available for the brand-name medication Risperdal.

Talk to your healthcare provider to stop taking Risperdal, as they can help you create a plan to stop safely.

Talk to your doctor if you are already pregnant or if you have any plans to become pregnant. They will know or recommend what is best for you. Currently, it is known that Risperdal could cause extrapyramidal symptoms as well as withdrawal symptoms in neonates with third-trimester exposure. If you are pregnant, you should reegister on the pregnancy registry to track the effects of risperidone on the baby.

Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you. Risperdal has been found to pass through breast milk and may have unwanted effects on a nursing infant.