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Risperidone
Risperidone ( Risperdal®) is a prescription medication that is used to treat the following conditions:
Brand-name risperidone is manufactured by Janssen, L.P.
Risperidone belongs to a group of medications called atypical (or second-generation) antipsychotic medications. It is not entirely known how it works for the treatment of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. However, it is known that risperidone blocks or lessens the effects of several chemicals in the brain. These brain chemicals (such as dopamine and serotonin) may be elevated in people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression), or autism.
In previous clinical studies of risperidone for the treatment of schizophrenia, people taking the medication experienced improvements in their symptoms of schizophrenia (including hallucinations and suspiciousness), compared to those not taking it. Longer studies also showed that risperidone can help keep symptoms from returning.
Previous clinical studies have also shown risperidone to be effective at treating bipolar disorder. In these studies, the drug was effective at treating episodes of mania or mixed episodes (which involve symptoms of both mania and depression). Risperidone was effective when used alone or in combination with other bipolar disorder medications.
Several studies have shown risperidone to also be effective at treating the emotional symptoms of autism. Children taking risperidone experienced fewer behavior problems, including aggression, self-harm, temper tantrums, and quickly changing moods. Longer studies also showed that the medication can help keep these symptoms from returning.
When and How to Take Risperidone
The following are some general considerations for when and how to take the medication:
- Risperidone comes in tablet form. It is usually taken by mouth once or twice a day.
- It can be taken with or without food. If it bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
- Risperidone also comes in a liquid form and in orally disintegrating tablets that dissolve rapidly in the mouth (risperidone M-Tabs®). These products are helpful for people who have difficulty swallowing tablets. A long-acting injectable form (risperidone Consta®) is also available.
- Risperidone M-Tabs should be kept in their original foil blister until just before use. Carefully peel back the foil, as pushing the tablet through the foil can crush the delicate tablet. These tablets will dissolve rapidly in your mouth, without any need for water. These tablets should not be chewed, split, or crushed.
- Risperidone should be taken at the same time(s) each day to maintain even levels of the drug in your blood.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.
The dosage your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age and weight
- The medical condition being treated
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be currently taking.
As with all medications, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with risperidone. However, not everyone who takes risperidone will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the medication well. When side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of risperidone include, but are not limited to:
(Click Risperidone Side Effects to learn about specific side effects of this drug, including some of the more serious side effects that you should report to your healthcare provider. You can also read about possible side effects by going to:
Drug Interactions With Risperidone
Risperidone can potentially interact with a number of other medicines.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
You should also make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
People who take too much risperidone may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Drowsiness
- A rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Shakiness, uncontrollable muscle contractions, or other unusual body movements
- An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- Seizures
- Loss of life.
If you happen to overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
The medication should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Risperidone tablets and liquid should be stored in an airtight container. Keep risperidone M-Tabs in their original foil packaging until just before use.
Keep risperidone and all other medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your dose as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose of risperidone.
Risperidone tablets are available in the following strengths:
- Risperidone 0.25 mg
- Risperidone 0.5 mg
- Risperidone 1 mg
- Risperidone 2 mg
- Risperidone 3 mg
- Risperidone 4 mg.
Orally disintegrating risperidone M-Tabs are available in the following strengths:
- Risperidone 0.25 mg
- Risperidone 0.5 mg
- Risperidone 1 mg
- Risperidone 2 mg
- Risperidone 3 mg
- Risperidone 4 mg.
Risperidone liquid comes in one strength -- risperidone Oral Solution 1 mg per mL.
A long-acting injectable form is also available.
Not all of the medications listed above are approved to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or autism. However, they are commonly used " off-label" for the treatment of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. In fact, risperidone is the only medication approved to treat irritability due to autism.
This medication is available in generic form.
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List of references (click here)
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Risperdal [package insert]. Titusville, NJ: Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.;2009 July. Risperdal Consta [package insert]. Titusville, NJ: Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.;2009 May. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Electronic orange book: approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. FDA Web site. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/ob/. Accessed May 8, 2009. Buehler, Gary. ANDA approval letter (6/30/2008). Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/appletter/2008/076228s000ltr.pdf. Accessed July 29, 2008. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Yaffe SJ. Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 7th ed. Philadelphia (PA): Lippincott Williams & Wilkins;2005. National Library of Medicine (US). Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMED). NLM Web site. Available at: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT. Accessed May 4, 2007.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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