Brand Name

Risperdal {Janssen}

Generic Name

risperidone, pronounced ris PER i done

 

What is Risperdal?

Risperdal is an atypical antipsychotic medication that is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, which is also known as manic depression. Risperdal is believed to work by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain. Risperdal may also be prescribed for autistic children to treat the symptoms of irritability.

Risperdal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

 

Key Facts About Risperdal

You should never take Risperdal in larger amounts then directed, or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Do not give children Risperdal without your doctor’s advice and recommendation.

You should not use Risperdal for psychotic conditions related to dementia.

You should not drink alcohol while taking Risperdal, as it may increase certain side effects of this medication.

Be aware that Risperdal may impair your reactions or thinking. You should be careful when driving or doing anything which requires you to be alert, especially when you first start Risperdal. Be careful when getting from a sitting or lying position, as Risperdal can cause dizziness. Be sure to get up slowly and safely to prevent falling.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Risperdal is in FDA pregnancy category C. It is known that taking an antipsychotic medication like Risperdal, especially during the last 3 months of pregnancy, may cause problems in your newborn, like withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, tremors, fussiness, and stiff or limp muscles. You should be aware that if you stop taking Risperdal during your pregnancy you may have withdrawal symptoms. Consult with your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Risperdal. You should not breast-feed while taking Risperdal, as it is known that Risperdal can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.

Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU), because Risperdal may contain phenylalanine.

 

Before You Take Risperdal

If you are allergic to risperidone you should not take Risperdal.

Let your doctor know if you have a history of low white blood cell counts, a history of breast cancer, kidney disease or liver disease before you start taking Risperdal.

If you have epilepsy, seizures, a history of heart attack or stroke, heart rhythm problems or high or low blood pressure you should tell your doctor before taking Risperdal.

Risperdal has been associated with metabolic changes that can increase cardiovascular or cerebrovascular risks. Risperdal has also been associated with high blood sugar and diabetes.
You should tell doctor if you have diabetes. Risperdal may cause you to have high blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels regularly while you are being treated with Risperdal. Risperdal has been reported to cause changes in cholesterol and triglycerides and increased weight

Tell your doctor before starting Risperdal if you have liver or kidney disease, high cholesterol or triglycerides, or a personal or family history of diabetes before you begin treatment with Risperdal. You may gain weight or have high cholesterol and triglycerides while taking this Risperdal.

You should inform your doctor if you have Parkinson’s Disease or trouble swallowing to make sure Risperdal is right for you.

You may be more prone to heat stroke while taking Risperdal. Be cautious about getting overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather.

Treatment with Risperdal is not to be used for patients with psychotic conditions related to dementia. The use of Risperdal for these patients may cause them extreme harm, such as heart failure, pneumonia, or even sudden death.

 

Risperdal Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• bromocriptine (Parlode)
• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol)
• cimetidine (Tagamet) or ranitidine (Zantac)
• clozapine (Clozaril)
• fluoxetine (Prozac,Sarafem, Symbyax)
• fluoxetine and olanzapine (Symbyax)
• levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa, Sinemet, Atamet)
• paroxetine (Paxil)
• pergolide (Permax)
• phenobarbital (Solfoton)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• pramipexole (Mirapex)
• rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rifamate)
• ropinirole (Requip)
• valproic acid (valproate, Depakene, Stavzor)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Risperdal. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

 

Directions for Taking Risperdal

You should take Risperdal exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take Risperdal in larger or smaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

You should take Risperdal at the same time every day.

You can take Risperdal with or without food.

Risperdal is a part of a program that your doctor has prescribed which may include counseling and other psychological support programs. Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using Risperdal.

If you are taking Risperdal M-Tabs, or the orally disintegrating tablets, you should keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take it. Be sure that you properly open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. If you push a tablet through the foil you may damage the tablet. Use dry hands only to remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It will begin dissolving immediately.

The Risperdal M-Tabs should not be swallowed whole; it should slowly dissolve in your mouth. Be sure to swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If you are not sure if the entire tablet has dissolved you may drink some liquid after taking it.

If you are taking Risperdal liquid be sure to use a special dose-measuring device when taking this medication. Use a special dose-measuring cup or spoon, and not a regular table spoon. Your pharmacist can give you this device if you do not have one.

Do not take Risperdal liquid and mix it with cola or tea.

Be aware that Risperdal may cause you to have high blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of hyperglycemia like increased thirst, excessive hunger, excessive urination or weakness. If you are a diabetic you should check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking Risperdal.

Do not stop using Risperdal without consulting your doctor, as you may experience adverse side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly. Your doctor may change your dosage of Risperdal throughout the course of your treatment, and you should follow his or her instructions carefully.

Risperdal needs to be stored at room temperature, and away from light, moisture and heat. Do not freeze Risperdal liquid.

If you miss a dose of Risperdal you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

 

Risperdal Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Risperdal and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) has been associated with Risperdal. It is a rare and potentially fatal side effect. Call your doctor and seek immediate assistance if a person using Risperdal develops symptoms of high fever, stiff muscles, shaking, confusion, sweating, change in blood pressure, pulse, or heart rate, or muscle pain or weakness.
• Allergic reaction such as breathing difficulties, hives, swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue;
• Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is a serious and sometimes irreversible side effect of Risperdal. Symptoms include uncontrollable movements of the face, tongue and other parts of the body. It can begin at anytime during therapy and should be reported to the doctor.
• confusion
• drooling
• faintness
• fever
• flu like symptoms
• fruity breath odour
• hallucinations
• headache
• increased heart rate
• increased thirst and urination
• nosebleeds
• penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer
• seizures
• sores in your throat or mouth (white in color)
• suicidal thoughts or thought about hurting yourself
• tremors
• trouble speaking or swallowing

Less serious side effects of Risperdal may include:

• appetite that is increased
• constipation
• cough with sore throat and a runny or stuffy nose
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• headache
• insomnia
• skin rash that is mild
• temperature fluctuations, feeling very hot or very cold
• weight gain

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Risperdal. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

 

Risperdal Description and Dosing

Risperdal is available in tablets, liquid and orally disintegrating tablets. The Risperdal Tablets are available in the following strengths and colors:

0.25 milligrams, which are dark yellow

0.5 milligrams, which are red-brown

1 milligram, which are white

2 milligrams, which are orange

3 milligrams, which are yellow

4 milligrams, which are green

All of the tablets are capsule shaped and imprinted with “JANSSEN” on one side and either “Ris 0.25”, “Ris 0.5”, “R1”, “R2”, “R3”, or “R4” on the other side according to their respective strengths.

The Risperdal® Oral Solution is available in a 1 mg/mL strength.

Risperdal M-TAB Orally Disintegrating Tablets are available in the following strengths, colors, and shapes:

0.5 milligrams, which are light coral and round

1 milligram, which are light coral and square

2 milligrams, which are coral and square

3 milligrams, which are coral and round

4 milligrams, which are coral and round

All are Risperdal M-Tabs are biconvex and etched on one side with “R0.5”, “R1”, “R2”, “R3”, or “R4” according to their respective strengths

Because Risperdal is prescribed differently for each patient and their unique condition, all people taking Risperdal should consult their doctor for a specific dosing pertaining to them. You should not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Risperdal you should seek emergency help immediately.

 

Ingredients in Risperdal

The primary active ingredient in Risperdal is risperidone. Risperdal Tablets contain the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, hypromellose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, and starch (corn). The 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, and 4 mg tablets also contain talc and titanium dioxide. The 0.25 mg tablets contain yellow iron oxide; the 0.5 mg tablets contain red iron oxide; the 2 mg tablets contain FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake; the 3 mg and 4 mg tablets contain D&C Yellow No. 10; the 4 mg tablets contain FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake.

Risperdal Oral Solution contains the following inactive ingredients: tartaric acid, benzoic acid, sodium hydroxide, and purified water.

Risperdal M-TAB Orally Disintegrating Tablets contain the following inactive ingredients: Amberlite resin, gelatin, mannitol, glycine, simethicone, carbomer, sodium hydroxide, aspartame, red ferric oxide, and peppermint oil. In addition, the 2 mg, 3 mg, and 4 mg Risperdal® M-TAB®
Orally Disintegrating Tablets contain xanthan gum.

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