Risperdal
Risperdal is an antipsychotic medicine used to treat conditions like schizophrenia, mania, and severe aggression in people with Alzheimer's dementia or children and teenagers with behavioral problems.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
4 mg
Active Ingredient
Risperidone
Manufacturer
Janssen-Cilag Oy
How to Use
Dosage
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. For adults, a common starting dose is 2 mg per day, which may be increased to 4 mg on the second day. Most adults feel better with a daily dose between 4-6 mg, but your doctor will adjust your dose based on your condition and response.
Method
Swallow the tablets whole with water. The score line is only for making it easier to swallow if you have difficulty swallowing the whole tablet.
Important
Your doctor will determine your maximum daily dose, which is typically up to 6 mg for adults, depending on your specific condition and how you respond to the medicine.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
- •Parkinsonism (symptoms like slow or stiff movements, tremors, increased saliva, or a mask-like face)
- •Feeling sleepy or less alert
- •Headache
- •Lung infection, chest infection (bronchitis), common cold symptoms, sinus infection, urinary tract infection, ear infection, flu-like feeling
- •High levels of a hormone called prolactin (can cause breast swelling, erection problems, or reduced sex drive in men; breast discomfort, milk leakage, or menstrual/fertility issues in women)
- •Weight gain, increased or decreased appetite
- •Sleep problems, irritability, depression, anxiety, restlessness
- •Dystonia (slow or continuous involuntary muscle contractions, often affecting the face, eyes, mouth, tongue, or jaw)
- •Dizziness
- •Dyskinesia (involuntary muscle movements, twitching)
- •Tremor (shaking)
- •Blurred vision, eye infection, or red eyes
- •Fast heart rate, high blood pressure, shortness of breath
- •Sore throat, cough, nosebleed, stuffy nose
- •Abdominal pain, stomach discomfort, vomiting, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, dry mouth, toothache
- •Rash, skin redness
- •Muscle spasms, bone or muscle pain, back pain, joint pain
- •Urinary incontinence
- •Swelling in the body, arms or legs, fever, chest pain, weakness, tiredness, pain
- •Falls
RARE
- •Respiratory tract infection, bladder infection, eye infection, tonsillitis, fungal nail infection, skin infection, localized skin infection, viral infection, skin inflammation caused by mites
- •Reduced white blood cells (which fight infection), reduced platelets (which help stop bleeding), anemia (low red blood cells), increased eosinophils (a type of white blood cell)
- •Allergic reaction
- •New or worsening diabetes, high blood sugar, drinking too much water
- •Weight loss, loss of appetite leading to malnutrition and low body weight
- •Increased cholesterol levels in your blood
- •Elevated mood (mania), confusion, decreased sexual desire, nervousness, nightmares
- •Lack of response to stimuli, loss of consciousness, low level of consciousness
- •Seizures, fainting
- •Balance disorders, abnormal coordination, dizziness when standing up, concentration problems, speech difficulties, loss or change of taste, reduced skin sensitivity to pain and touch, tingling or numbness in the skin
- •Light sensitivity of the eyes, dry eyes, increased tear production, red eyes
- •Sensation of spinning (vertigo), ringing in the ears, ear pain
- •Irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation), heart block, abnormal electrical conduction in the heart, prolonged QT interval, slow heart rate, abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG), fluttering or pounding feeling in the chest (palpitations)
- •Low blood pressure, low blood pressure upon standing, flushing (feeling of warmth)
- •Pneumonia due to inhaling food, congested lungs, congested airways, rough breathing, wheezing, voice disorders, breathing problems
- •Stomach or intestinal infection, fecal incontinence, very hard stools, difficulty swallowing, excessive gas
- •Hives, itching, hair loss, thickened skin, eczema, dry skin, skin discoloration, acne, flaky skin, itchy scalp or skin, skin disorder, skin lesion
- •Increased blood creatine phosphokinase (an enzyme sometimes released during muscle breakdown)
- •Abnormal posture, joint stiffness, joint swelling, muscle weakness, neck pain
- •Frequent urination, inability to urinate, painful urination
- •Erectile dysfunction, ejaculation problems
- •Missed periods, no periods, or other menstrual cycle problems (in women)
- •Breast development in men, milk discharge from breasts, sexual dysfunction, breast pain, breast discomfort, vaginal discharge
- •Swelling of the face, mouth, eyes, or lips
- •Chills, increased body temperature
- •Changes in walking
- •Feeling thirsty, feeling unwell, chest discomfort, feeling irritable, general discomfort
- •Increased liver enzyme levels in the blood
- •Pain during procedures
- •Abnormal secretion of a hormone that controls urine volume
- •Sleepwalking, sleep-related eating disorder
- •Sugar in urine, low blood sugar, high triglyceride levels
- •Lack of emotions, inability to have an orgasm
- •Immobility and unresponsiveness while awake (catatonia)
- •Brain blood vessel problems
- •Coma due to uncontrolled diabetes
- •Head tremors
- •Glaucoma (increased eye pressure), difficulty moving eyes, rolling eyes, crusting of eyelid margins
- •Eye problems during cataract surgery (Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome, IFIS)
- •Dangerously low levels of white blood cells (needed to fight infection)
- •Dangerously excessive water intake
- •Irregular heartbeats
- •Sleep-related breathing problems (sleep apnea), fast, shallow breathing
- •Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), bowel obstruction
- •Swollen tongue, cracked lips, drug-related rash on skin
- •Dandruff
- •Muscle fiber breakdown and muscle pain (rhabdomyolysis)
- •Delayed periods, enlarged breasts, discharge from breasts
- •Increased insulin levels in your blood
- •Hardening of the skin
- •Lowered body temperature, cold arms and legs
- •Withdrawal symptoms upon stopping the medicine
- •Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- •Life-threatening complications related to poorly controlled diabetes
- •Severe allergic reaction with swelling potentially affecting the throat and causing breathing difficulties
- •Lack of bowel muscle movement, leading to bowel obstruction
Important Warnings
- Do not use Risperdal if you are allergic to risperidone or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Tell your doctor if you have heart problems like an irregular heartbeat or low blood pressure, or if you take blood pressure medication.
- Inform your doctor if you have risk factors for stroke, such such as high blood pressure or blood vessel problems in the brain.
- Tell your doctor if you have ever had uncontrolled movements of your tongue, mouth, or face, or if you've had symptoms like high fever, stiff muscles, sweating, or reduced consciousness (called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome).
- Inform your doctor if you have Parkinson's disease or dementia.
Show 11 more warnings
- Let your doctor know if you have a history of low white blood cell counts, diabetes, or epilepsy.
- Men should tell their doctor if they have ever had a prolonged or painful erection (priapism).
- Tell your doctor if you have problems controlling your body temperature, kidney or liver problems, or high prolactin levels.
- Let your doctor know if you or your family have a history of blood clots.
- Elderly patients with dementia have an increased risk of stroke. Do not use Risperdal if your dementia is caused by a stroke.
- Seek immediate medical help if you notice sudden changes in mental state, or sudden weakness or numbness in your face, arms, or legs (especially on one side), or slurred speech, as these could be signs of a stroke.
- Avoid alcohol while taking Risperdal.
- Risperdal may cause dizziness, tiredness, and vision problems; do not drive or use machines until you've spoken with your doctor.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine. If a mother uses Risperdal during late pregnancy, her newborn baby may have symptoms like shaking, muscle stiffness or weakness, sleepiness, restlessness, breathing problems, or difficulty feeding. Contact a doctor if your baby has these symptoms.
- If you are having eye surgery (for cataracts), tell your eye doctor that you are taking this medicine.
- Risperdal can cause weight gain and may increase the risk of developing diabetes or worsen existing diabetes. Your doctor will monitor your weight and blood sugar.
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)