Drug Database - Risperidone

Generic Name: risperidone (ris-PER-i-done)

Brand Names: Risperdal®

Classification: Antipsychotic

Risperidone is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain. Risperidone is used to treat schizophrenia and symptoms of bipolar disorder (manic depression). It is also used in autistic children to treat symptoms of irritability. Risperidone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Important Facts

Risperidone is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. This medication may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

Do not give Risperidone to a child without a doctor's advice.

While you are taking risperidone, you may be more sensitive to temperature extremes such as very hot or cold conditions. Avoid getting too cold, or becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking this medication.

Risperidone may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of risperidone.

Stop using risperidone and call your doctor at once if you have fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, restless muscle movements in your face or neck, tremor (uncontrolled shaking), trouble swallowing, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

There may be other drugs that can interact with risperidone. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

How To Take Risperidone

Take risperidone exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Risperidone can be taken with or without food.

To take risperidone orally disintegrating tablets (Risperdal M-Tabs):

• Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet.


• Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away.


• Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.


• Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink liquid after the tablet is completely dissolved.

It is important to take risperidone regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Measure the liquid form of risperidone with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Do not mix the liquid form of risperidone with cola or tea.

It may take several weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

Store risperidone at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat. Do not allow the liquid form of risperidone to freeze.

If You Forget A Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

In Case of Overdose

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center ( http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room IMMEDIATELY.

Symptoms may include:

• drowsiness
• fast heart rate
• feeling light-headed
• fainting
• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck

Risperidone is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Risperidone may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to risperidone.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to risperidone.

To make sure you can safely take risperidone, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver disease
• kidney disease
• heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems
• a history of heart attack or stroke
• a history of low white blood cell (WBC) counts
• a history of breast cancer
• seizures or epilepsy
• diabetes (risperidone may raise your blood sugar)
• a history of suicidal thoughts
• Parkinson's disease
• trouble swallowing

The risperidone orally disintegrating tablet may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of risperidone if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Metabolic Changes

Risperidone may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Talk to your doctor if you have any signs of hyperglycemia such as increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, or weakness. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking risperidone.

Atypical antipsychotic drugs have been associated with metabolic changes that may increase cardiovascular/cerebrovascular risk. While all of the drugs in the class have been shown to produce some metabolic changes, each drug has its own specific risk profile.

Weight gain has been observed with atypical antipsychotic use. Clinical monitoring of weight is recommended.

Pregnancy

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether risperidone will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether risperidone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:

• hivess
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of your face
• lips
• tongue
• throat

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

• fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats
• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck
• tremor (uncontrolled shaking)
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips
• trouble swallowing; or
• feeling light-headed, fainting

Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

• mild restlessness, drowsiness, or tremor
• sleepiness, dreaming more than usual
• blurred vision
• dizziness or headache
• weight gain
• problems with urination
• nausea, dry mouth, constipation; or
• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Drug Interactions

Commonly-Observed Adverse Reactions in Double-Blind, Placebo- Controlled Clinical Trials - Autistic Disorder

• In another study with patients treated for irritability associated with autistic disorder, headache (6%), epistaxis (6%) and pyrexia (6%) were also observed in Risperdal-treated pediatric subjects.

Other Adverse Reactions Observed During the Clinical Trial Evaluation of Risperidone

• Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders: neutropenia
• Nervous System Disorders: head titubation

Postmarketing Experience

• blood cholesterol increased, blood triglycerides increased
• drug withdrawal syndrome neonatal, dysgeusia

Before you take risperidone, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by risperidone.

Also tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton)
• clozapine (Clozaril)
• fluoxetine (Prozac) or paroxetine (Paxil)
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater)
• medicines used to treat Parkinson's Disease such as:
• levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa, Sinemet, Atamet, others)
• bromocriptine (Parlodel, others)
• pergolide (Permax)
• pramipexole (Mirapex)
• ropinirole (Requip)