Risperdal
Risperdal is an antipsychotic medicine used to treat conditions like schizophrenia, mania, and aggressive behavior in people with Alzheimer's dementia or behavioral disorders in children and teenagers.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
2 mg
Active Ingredient
Risperidone
Manufacturer
Janssen-Cilag Oy
How to Use
Dosage
The typical starting dose is usually 2 mg per day, but your doctor will tell you the exact dose.
Method
Swallow the tablets whole with water. You can break the tablet if it helps you swallow.
Important
Your doctor will decide your maximum daily dose, which for most adults is typically between 1 mg and 6 mg, depending on your condition.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
- •Parkinsonism (slow movements, stiff muscles, tremors)
- •Feeling tired or less alert
- •Headache
- •Infections (e.g., chest, sinus, urinary, ear, flu-like symptoms)
- •Increased levels of prolactin hormone, which can cause breast swelling in men, erection problems, reduced sexual desire, breast discomfort or milk leakage in women, and menstrual problems
- •Weight gain, increased or decreased appetite
- •Sleep problems, irritability, depression, anxiety, restlessness
- •Dystonia (slow, involuntary muscle contractions, often affecting face, eyes, mouth, tongue, or jaw)
- •Dizziness
- •Dyskinesia (involuntary, jerky, or twisting muscle movements)
- •Tremors (shaking)
- •Blurred vision, eye infection, or red eyes
- •Fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, shortness of breath
- •Sore throat, cough, nosebleed, stuffy nose
- •Stomach pain, upset stomach, vomiting, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, dry mouth, toothache
- •Rash, red skin
- •Muscle spasms, bone or muscle pain, back pain, joint pain
- •Urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control)
- •Swelling of body, arms, or legs, fever, chest pain, weakness, fatigue, pain
- •Falls
RARE
- •Various infections (respiratory, bladder, eye, tonsil, nail fungus, skin, viral, mite-borne)
- •Changes in blood cell counts (e.g., low white blood cells, low platelets, anemia)
- •Allergic reaction
- •New or worsening diabetes, high blood sugar, excessive thirst
- •Weight loss, loss of appetite, malnutrition
- •High cholesterol in blood
- •Elevated mood (mania), confusion, reduced sexual desire, nervousness, nightmares
- •Lack of response to stimuli, loss of consciousness, low level of consciousness
- •Seizures, fainting
- •Balance problems, poor coordination, speech problems, loss of taste, reduced skin sensitivity to pain or touch, tingling or numbness in the skin
- •Sensitivity to light, dry eyes, increased tear production, red eyes
- •Spinning sensation (vertigo), ringing in ears, ear pain
- •Irregular heartbeat (including fast or slow heart rate), changes in heart's electrical activity
- •Low blood pressure (especially when standing up), flushing
- •Pneumonia from inhaling food, congested lungs/airways, rough breathing, wheezing, voice changes, breathing problems
- •Stomach or bowel infection, inability to control bowel movements, very hard stools, difficulty swallowing, gas
- •Hives, itching, hair loss, thickened skin, eczema, dry skin, skin discoloration, acne, flaky skin, itchy scalp or skin, skin injury
- •Increased levels of creatine phosphokinase in blood (an enzyme related to muscle breakdown)
- •Abnormal posture, stiff joints, joint swelling, muscle weakness, neck pain
- •Frequent urination, inability to urinate, painful urination
- •Erectile dysfunction, ejaculation problems
- •Missed periods or other menstrual cycle problems in women
- •Breast development in men, milk leakage from breasts, sexual dysfunction, breast pain, vaginal discharge
- •Swelling of face, mouth, eyes, or lips
- •Chills, increased body temperature
- •Changes in walking style
- •Thirst, feeling unwell, chest discomfort, irritability, general discomfort
- •Increased liver enzyme levels in blood
- •Pain related to a procedure
- •Sleepwalking
- •Sleep-related eating disorder
- •Lack of emotions, inability to have an orgasm
- •Immobility and unresponsiveness while awake (catatonia)
- •Brain blood vessel disorders
- •Coma due to uncontrolled diabetes
- •Head tremors
- •Glaucoma (high eye pressure), difficulty moving eyes, eye rolling, eyelid crusting
- •Eye problems during cataract surgery (IFIS)
- •Dangerously excessive water intake
- •Sleep breathing problems (sleep apnea), fast, shallow breathing
- •Pancreatitis, bowel blockage
- •Swollen tongue, cracked lips, drug rash
- •Dandruff
- •Muscle fiber breakdown and muscle pain (rhabdomyolysis)
- •Breast enlargement, discharge from breasts
- •Hardening of skin
- •Low body temperature, cold arms and legs
- •Withdrawal symptoms after stopping medication
- •Yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice)
- •Life-threatening complications due to uncontrolled diabetes
- •Severe allergic reaction with swelling and breathing difficulties
- •Lack of bowel movements causing intestinal blockage
- •Severe or life-threatening rash with blisters and peeling skin
- •Palpitations when standing up
- •Prolonged or painful erection (priapism)
- •Fever, muscle stiffness, sweating, reduced consciousness (neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
Important Warnings
- Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to risperidone or any other ingredient in it.
- Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney or liver problems, or a history of seizures or blood clots.
- Seek immediate medical help if you notice sudden changes in your mental state, weakness, numbness, or slurred speech, as these can be signs of a stroke.
- Contact your doctor right away if you experience uncontrollable movements of your face, tongue, or other body parts (tardive dyskinesia).
- Get urgent medical attention if you have symptoms of a blood clot, such as swelling, pain, or redness in your leg, or chest pain and trouble breathing.
Show 4 more warnings
- Report to your doctor immediately if you have a high fever, stiff muscles, sweating, and confusion, as these can be signs of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
- If you are a man and experience a prolonged, painful erection (priapism), seek immediate medical attention.
- Stop taking the medicine and get urgent medical help if you have a severe allergic reaction, with symptoms like fever, swelling of your face, mouth, lips, or tongue, difficulty breathing, itching, rash, or low blood pressure.
- Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine. This medicine can make you feel dizzy, tired, or affect your vision, so do not drive or use machines until you know how it affects you.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category D
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)