Risperidone

Description

Risperidone is an antipsychotic medicine (a medicine used to treat mental conditions). It is used for the treatment of schizophrenia (a mental condition in which a person is unable to differentiate between the real world and the imaginary world) and bipolar disorder (a mental disorder that causes extreme mood swings) in adults and children aged 18 years and above. It works by blocking the release of certain chemicals that cause such conditions. Risperidone shows common side effects such as uncontrollable muscle movements, dry mouth, joint pain, restless feeling, tiredness, etc. If these symptoms persist or worsen, consult your doctor for further assistance. Avoid driving vehicles or operating heavy machines as it can cause drowsiness and sleepiness. Risperidone. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Do not discontinue the medicine without consulting your doctor, as it can worsen your condition. Risperidone is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Take this medicine with caution if you have heart conditions, abnormally low blood pressure, increased fat levels, high blood sugar levels, or low white blood cell count. Inform your doctor if you have problems with your liver, and kidney before taking this medicine. Risperidone should only be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding after consulting your doctor. The safety and effectiveness of this medicine are not established in children with schizophrenia who are less than 13 years of age, bipolar disorder who are less than 10 years of age, and autistic disorder who are less than five years of age.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Risperidone

  • Aggression
  • Loss of balance control
  • Changes in vision
  • Skin rash
  • Back pain
  • Chest pain
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of appetite

Uses of Risperidone

What is it prescribed for?

  • Schizophrenia
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Autism
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The amount of time required for Risperidone to show its effect is not clinically established.
  • Duration of effect
    The amount of time for which Risperidone remains effective in the body is not clinically established.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Risperidone due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, difficulty in concentration, impaired judgment, etc.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Risperidone.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Risperidone should be taken during pregnancy only after consulting your doctor.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    It is known to pass into breast milk. Hence, Risperidone should be taken during breasting only after consulting your doctor. You may need to discontinue breastfeeding after initiating the medicine.

Allergy

Avoid taking Risperidone if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Risperidone should be taken during pregnancy only after consulting your doctor.

Breast-feeding

It is known to pass into breast milk. Hence, Risperidone should be taken during breasting only after consulting your doctor. You may need to discontinue breastfeeding after initiating the medicine.
General warnings

Dementia- related psychosis

Risperidone is not approved for use in dementia-related psychosis (delusions and seeing and hearing things that are not real) in the elderly due to the increased risk of death.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

Risperidone should be discontinued immediately if you developed Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome characterised by an increase in the body temperature, muscle rigidity, and altered consciousness.

Tardive dyskinaesia

Risperidone may cause involuntary movements of the tongue, lips, and face. Inform the doctor if you have these symptoms. Gradual dose reduction or discontinuation of the medicine will be done by your doctor.

Diabetes and Dyslipidaemia

Risperidone may increase the blood sugar levels and lipids levels in the body. Regular monitoring of sugar and lipid level will be done by your doctor.

Seizures

Risperidone should be taken with caution if you had a history of seizures (fits).

Children

The safety and effectiveness of Risperidone are not established in children with schizophrenia who are less than 13 years of age, bipolar disorder who are less than 10 years of age, and autistic disorder who are less than five years of age.

Liver or liver condition

Risperidone should be administered with caution if you have a liver or kidney condition. Frequent monitoring of liver function will be done by your doctor.

Suicidal tendency

Risperidone should be administered with caution as it can increase suicidal tendencies. Close monitoring of behavioural changes will be done by your doctor.

Low white blood cell count

Risperidone should be administered with caution if you have pre-existing low WBCs levels, as it can worsen your condition.

Dysphagia

Risperidone should be administered with caution as it may lead to dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing).

Missed Dose

For oral form: Do not miss the dose of Risperidone. In case you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one. For injection form: Since Risperidone injection is given in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.

Overdose

For oral form: Do not take more than the prescribed dose of Risperidone. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose. For injection form: Since Risperidone is given in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. If an overdose is suspected, your doctor will initiate emergency medical treatment.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Risperidone due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, difficulty in concentration, impaired judgment, etc.
Interaction with Medicine

Clozapine

Tramadol

Antidiabetic medicines

Levodopa

Disease interactions

Liver Disease

should be used with extreme caution if you have liver problems. Improper functioning of the liver may lead to reduced metabolism and clearance of Risperidone. This may make you more susceptible to the side effects of this medicine.

Kidney Disease

Risperidone is excreted via the kidney and may get accumulated in your body if your kidneys are not functioning properly. This can increase the risk of severe side effects. Hence, this medicine should be used with caution if you have severe kidney problems.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Risperidone can be taken with or without food. For tablet form: Do not break, chew, or crush the medicine. For oral solution: Take the medicine as directed by your doctor. For injection form: The medicine is usually given in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Do not take in larger amounts than advised. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor will recommend tests for monitoring of your liver and kidney condition.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
Risperidone works by blocking the release of certain chemicals responsible for mental conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Atypical antipsychotics

Schedule

Schedule H

Accessdata.fda.gov. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 3 October 2022].

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/020272s056,020588s044,021346s033,021444s03lbl.pdf

Medicines.org.uk. 2022. Risperidone 0.5 mg Film-coated Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: [Accessed 3 October 2022].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5990/smpc#INDICATIONS

nhs.uk. 2022. Risperidone – an antipyschotic medicine used to help symptoms of mental health conditions. [online] Available at: [Accessed 3 October 2022].

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/risperidone/#:~:text=Risperidone%20does%20not%20work%20straight,you%20may%20put%20on%20weight.

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Information on this page was last updated on 20 Apr 2023

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We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.