Generic Name: risperidone (oral)
- What is risperidone?
- What are the possible side effects of risperidone?
- What is the most important information I should know about risperidone?
- What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking risperidone?
- How should I take risperidone?
- What happens if I miss a dose?
- What happens if I overdose?
- What should I avoid while taking risperidone?
- What other drugs will affect risperidone?
- Where can I get more information?
What is risperidone?
Risperidone is a antipsychotic medicine that works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain.
Risperidone is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children who are at least 13 years old.
Risperidone is also used to treat symptoms of bipolar disorder (manic depression) in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.
Risperidone is also used to treat symptoms of irritability in autistic children who are 5 to 16 years old.
Risperidone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
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What are the possible side effects of risperidone?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);
- breast swelling or tenderness (in men or women), nipple discharge, impotence, lack of interest in sex, missed menstrual periods;
- severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out;
- low white blood cells--sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing;
- low levels of platelets in your blood--easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
- high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor; or
- penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.
Common side effects may include:
- headache;
- dizziness, drowsiness, feeling tired;
- tremors, twitching or uncontrollable muscle movements;
- agitation, anxiety, restless feeling;
- depressed mood;
- dry mouth, upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation;
- weight gain; or
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
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.
What is the most important information I should know about risperidone?
Risperidone is not approved for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking risperidone?
You should not use risperidone if you are allergic to it.
Risperidone may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for this use.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, 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;
- trouble swallowing;
- Parkinson's disease; or
- if you are dehydrated.
The risperidone orally disintegrating tablet may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking risperidone, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of risperidone on the baby.
This medicine may temporarily affect fertility (ability to have children) in women.
Risperidone can pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in the baby. If you breast-feed while using this medicine, tell your doctor if the baby has symptoms such as drowsiness, tremors, or involuntary muscle movements.
Do not give this medicine to a child without a doctor's advice.
How should I take risperidone?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Risperidone can be taken with or without food.
Remove an orally disintegrating tablet from the package only when you are ready to take the medicine. Place the tablet in your mouth and allow it to dissolve, without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves.
Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Do not mix the risperidone liquid with cola or tea.
It may take up to several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not liquid medicine to freeze.
QUESTION
Schizophrenia is the most disabling mental illness. See AnswerWhat happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting, and restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck.
What should I avoid while taking risperidone?
Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.
While you are taking risperidone, you may be more sensitive to very hot conditions. Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise.
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls, fractures, or other injuries.
What other drugs will affect risperidone?
Taking risperidone with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
- blood pressure medication;
- carbamazepine;
- clozapine;
- fluoxetine (Prozac) or paroxetine (Paxil); or
- levodopa.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect risperidone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about risperidone.
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