Risperdal
Risperdal is an antipsychotic medicine used to treat conditions like schizophrenia, mania, aggression, and behavioral disorders, helping to relieve symptoms and prevent them from returning.
How to Use
Dosage
Usually starting with 2 mg daily, the dose can be increased to 4 mg on the second day; your doctor will determine your appropriate dose, usually 4–6 mg per day.
Method
Swallow the tablets with water.
Your doctor will determine your maximum daily dose, which can be taken once or twice daily.
Possible Side Effects
- •Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
- •Parkinsonism (slow or stiff movements, muscle stiffness, tremors)
- •Feeling sleepy or less alert
- •Headache
- •Weight gain
- •Increased levels of a hormone called prolactin (may affect fertility and cause breast changes)
- •Dizziness
- •Stomach pain, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea
- •Blood clots in leg veins (swelling, pain, redness) which can travel to the lungs, causing chest pain and trouble breathing. Seek immediate medical care if these occur.
- •Fever, muscle stiffness, sweating, or decreased consciousness (Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome). Immediate medical care is needed.
- •Severe allergic reaction with fever, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue, shortness of breath, itching, rash, or a drop in blood pressure. Seek immediate medical care.
- •Tardive dyskinesia (uncontrolled twitching or jerky movements of the face, tongue, or other body parts). Tell your doctor immediately if this happens.
Important Warnings
- Do not use Risperdal if you are allergic to risperidone or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Talk to your doctor if you have heart problems or high blood pressure, as your dose may need to be adjusted.
- Tell your doctor if you have had a stroke or are at risk of having one.
- Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you, as it can cause dizziness or drowsiness.
- Elderly patients with dementia have an increased risk of stroke. Do not use risperidone if your dementia is caused by a stroke.
Show 2 more warnings
- If you notice sudden changes in your mental state, weakness or numbness on one side of the face, arms, or legs, or trouble speaking, seek immediate medical attention as these could be signs of a stroke.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Risperdal.
Use in Elderly Patients
Avoid use in older adults. For treatment of psychosis only. Use only in special cases and for a limited time in the management of severe behavioural symptoms of cognitive impairment. Reduce the dose already in mild renal impairment. Increases the risk of cardiovascular events, QT prolongation and orthostatic hypotension. Increases risk for falls and extrapyramidal symptoms. (updated 15.1.2024)