Brand Name

Risperdal Consta {Janssen}

Generic Name

risperidone, pronounced ris PER i done

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Risperdal Consta?

Risperdal Consta is an atypical antipsychotic medication that is used to treat schizophrenia. Risperdal Consta is also indicated as a monotherapy or as adjunctive therapy to lithium or valproate for the treatment of Bipolar I Disorder. Risperdal Consta is an injectable medication and it is believed to work by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

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

Key Facts About Risperdal Consta

If you have never taken oral Risperdal it is recommended that you make sure you can tolerate Risperdal before starting treatment with Risperdal Consta. Tell your doctor if you have not taken Risperdal before.

Risperdal Consta is an injectable medication, which should be administered every 2 weeks by deep intramuscular (IM) deltoid or gluteal injection.

Injections of Risperdal Consta should be administered by a health care professional using the appropriate enclosed safety needle. Risperdal Consta should not be administered intravenously.

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

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

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

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

Be aware that Risperdal Consta 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 Consta. Be careful when getting from a sitting or lying position, as Risperdal Consta 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 Consta is in FDA pregnancy category C. It is known that taking an antipsychotic medication like Risperdal Consta, 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 Consta during your pregnancy you may have withdrawal symptoms. Consult with your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Risperdal Consta. You should not breast-feed while taking Risperdal Consta, as it is known that Risperdal Consta can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.

Before You Take Risperdal Consta

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

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 Consta.

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 Consta.

Risperdal has been associated with metabolic changes that can increase cardiovascular or cerebrovascular risks. Risperdal Consta has also been associated with high blood sugar and diabetes. Risperdal Consta has been reported to cause changes in cholesterol and triglycerides and increased weight.

You should tell doctor if you have diabetes. Risperdal Consta 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 Consta.

Tell your doctor before starting Risperdal Consta if you have liver or kidney disease, high cholesterol or triglycerides, or family history of diabetes before you begin treatment with Risperdal Consta.

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

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

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

Risperdal Consta 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 Consta. 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 Consta

Risperdal Consta is an injectable medication, which should be administered every 2 weeks by deep intramuscular (IM) deltoid or gluteal injection.

Injections of Risperdal Consta should be administered by a health care professional using the appropriate enclosed safety needle. Risperdal Consta should not be administered intravenously.

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

Risperdal Consta 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 Consta.

Be aware that Risperdal Consta 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 Consta.

Do not stop using Risperdal Consta 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 Consta throughout the course of your treatment, and you should follow his or her instructions carefully.

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Risperdal Consta Side Effects

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

• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) has been associated with Risperdal Consta. It is a rare and potentially fatal side effect. Call your doctor and seek immediate assistance if a person using Risperdal Consta 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 Consta. 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.
• faintness
• fever
• fruity breath odour
• hallucinations
• headache
• 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

Less serious side effects of Risperdal Consta 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 Consta. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Risperdal Consta Description and Dosing

Risperdal Consta should be stored in the refrigerator and protected from light (36-46°F or 2 to 8°C)

If refrigeration is unavailable it may be stored for up to 7 days at temperatures not exceeding 77°F or 25°C.

Risperdal Consta is available in dosage strengths of 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 37.5 mg, and 50 mg of risperidone. It is provided as a dose pack, which consists of a vial containing the risperidone microspheres, a pre-filled syringe containing 2 mL of diluent for Risperdal Consta, a SmartSite®
Needle-Free Vial Access Device, and two Needle-Pro® safety needles for intramuscular injection.

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

ingredients in Risperdal Consta

The primary active ingredient in Risperdal Consta is risperidone. Risperdal Consta Long-Acting Injection is a combination of extended-release microspheres for injection and diluent for parenteral use.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.