Medication Information:

***UPDATED***
Risperidone (generic) ~ Risperdal, Risperdal Consta (brand)

Classification: Atypical antipsychotic.
Common Usage: Risperidone has FDA-approved indications for the treatment of schizophrenia and for the short-term treatment of acute mania or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder in adults, both as a monotherapy and in combination with lithium or valproate.  The safety and effectiveness of risperidone for pediatric patients with schizophrenia or acute mania associated with bipolar disorder has not been established.

Important Side Effects: Adverse effects associated with risperidone include: dizziness, sensation that one has to walk or pace, weight gain, headache, constipation, upset stomach, nausea, drowsiness, tiredness, sun-sensitivity, and sexual dysfunction.  Also, extrapyramidal effects such as tremor and muscle stiffness (risk increases with dose) have been reported with by patients taking risperidone. Risperidone has been associated with serious cerebrovascular adverse events (e.g., stroke, transient ischemic attack) in elderly patients with dementia.

If you are planning to become pregnant, are pregnant or are a nursing mother, the potential benefits of this drug be weighted against the possible hazards.  Discuss these issues in advance with all of your health care providers.

This is not a complete list of known or potential adverse effects.  Notify your prescriber or pharmacist of any symptoms that have started since you began taking this medication, changing its dose, or adding or changing other medication or diet. Take care when performing any task (such as driving a car or operating machinery) that requires your attention until you have experience with this drug and are confident you can perform this task safely.

Interactions with Other Medications:  Not to be taken with alcohol.  Certain drugs used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (Sinemet, levodopa) may be rendered less effective when risperidone is added to current drug therapy.Carbamazepine (Teretol) may interfere with risperidone's effectiveness by clearing risperidone from the body more quickly. Clozapine (Clozaril), another psychotropic drug, may increase the effect of risperidone by slowly down the rate at which risperidone clears from the body. Fluoxetine (Prozac) may increase plasma concentration. Certain over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines found in cough and cold remedies, may have an additive effect on the severity of some side effects.

This is not a complete list of all known or potential drug interactions.  To help prevent problems, always make sure that your pharmacist and all prescribers know about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs; dietary herbal supplements; folk or home remedies; or unusual foods, drinks, or dietary habits.

Common Dosages: Doses should be started low, and increased slowly based upon clinical response and adverse effects.  Rapid dose escalation may result in adverse effects such as movement disorders or orthostatic hypotension (a sudden fall of blood pressure that occurs when a person stands up.)  Many adult patients are usually started on 1 mg twice a day, and increased by 1 mg twice daily on the second and third day, if necessary to a target dose of 6 mg/day by the third day. The usual adult dosage range is between 4 and 8 mg per day. Most patients can be given the entire dose at bedtime to improve compliance and eliminate daytime sedation. Dosage adjustments (by 1 or 2 mg/day) should be made at one-week intervals based on response and adverse effects. Generally, 16 mg/day is not exceeded.

Geriatric and demented patients, as well as those with severe systemic illness or low blood pressure should usually be started at 0.25 to 0.5 mg and titrated up slowly by the same amount twice daily, to prevent adverse effects.  Dosage increases that results in clinically significant extrapyramidal symptoms or elevated prolactin may suggest that an alternate antipsychotic medication could provide greater benefit. Missed doses should be taken as soon as it is remembered, but if it is almost time for the next does, it should be skipped.

Identification: Risperidone is available in 0.25- (dark yellow), 0.5- (red brown), 1- (white), 2- (orange), 3- (yellow), and 4-mg (green) tablets.

• Risperidone is available as orally disintegrating tablets in 0.5-mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg strengths; tablets are light coral in color.
• Risperidone is available as 30-mL oral solution (1 mg/1 mL).
• Injectable risperidone (Risperdal Consta) is available in dosage strengths of 25, 37.5, or 50 mg.

Storage: Risperidone should be stored at controlled room temperature (59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit) in a tightly closed, child-, light-, and moisture-resistant container.  If you have difficulty opening child-resistant containers, your pharmacist can provide you with a container that is easier to open.  Keep the medication out of direct sunlight and avoid storing it in a warm and humid area, such as the bathroom or kitchen, to avoid deterioration.

To prevent accidental poisoning, keep all medications out of the reach of children or adults with dementia. Do not take expired medication. Do not transfer medication from one container to another. Carefully discard discontinued medication where children cannot find it.

A SERVICE OF…. Manisses Communications Group, Inc.
Note: These guidelines are for general information only. For more specific information, consult your physician or pharmacist.