Risperidon ratiopharm
Risperidon ratiopharm is used for the long-term treatment of schizophrenia, helping to reduce symptoms like hallucinations and delusions and prevent them from returning.
Form
injektiokuiva-aine ja liuotin, depotsuspensiota varten
Strength
50 mg
Active Ingredient
Risperidone
Manufacturer
ratiopharm GmbH
How to Use
Dosage
The usual starting dose for injections is 25 mg or 37.5 mg, depending on your previous oral risperidone dose or other antipsychotic medication.
Method
A healthcare professional will give you an injection into a muscle (arm or buttock) every two weeks. The injection site should be alternated, and it must not be given into a vein.
Important
The usual maintenance dose is 25 mg every two weeks, but higher doses of 37.5 mg or 50 mg may be necessary, as determined by your doctor. This is not a daily medication.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Flu-like symptoms
- •Sleep problems (like difficulty sleeping, feeling sleepy)
- •Feeling down or worried (depression, anxiety)
- •Movement problems (like slow movements, stiff muscles, tremors, trouble walking)
- •Headache
- •Infections (like pneumonia, chest infections, sinusitis, urinary tract infections)
- •Hormone changes (like increased prolactin, which can affect breasts, sexual desire, and periods)
- •Changes in sugar/weight (high blood sugar, weight gain or loss, changes in appetite)
- •Dizziness or blurred vision
- •Fast heartbeat or changes in blood pressure
- •Breathing problems (like shortness of breath, sore throat, cough, blocked nose)
- •Stomach or gut problems (like abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, toothache)
- •Skin problems (like rash, itching, hair loss)
- •Muscle or joint pain (like muscle spasms, back pain, joint pain)
- •Problems with urination or sexual function (like urinary incontinence, erectile problems, changes in periods)
- •Swelling of the body, arms, or legs
- •Pain or reactions at the injection site
- •Feeling weak or tired, fever
- •Falls
RARE
- •Stroke symptoms (sudden weakness or numbness in face/arms/legs, slurred speech, especially in dementia patients)
- •Uncontrolled body movements (like jerking of the face, tongue, or other body parts)
- •Blood clots (in legs, or moving to lungs causing chest pain or breathing problems)
- •Severe reaction with fever, stiff muscles, sweating, and confusion (Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome)
- •Prolonged or painful erection (priapism)
- •Severe allergic reactions (rash, swelling of face/throat, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure)
- •Various infections (like ear, eye, skin, fungal infections, low white blood cells)
- •Blood count changes (low red or white blood cells, low platelets)
- •New or worsening diabetes, sugar in urine, changes in fat levels in blood, extreme thirst or loss of appetite
- •Confusion, nervousness, nightmares, loss of consciousness, seizures, fainting
- •Restless feelings, balance problems, speech difficulties, changes in taste or sensation, tingling or numbness
- •Eye problems (like abnormal eye movements, sensitivity to light, issues during cataract surgery)
- •Ringing in ears or ear pain
- •Irregular heartbeat or fast heartbeat when standing up
- •Severe skin rashes with blisters and peeling skin (like Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to risperidone or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- If you have never used risperidone before, your treatment should start with an oral form of risperidone before you receive injections.
- Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, such as irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, or if you take blood pressure medication, as your dose may need to be adjusted.
- Inform your doctor if you have risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or blood vessel problems in the brain.
- Tell your doctor if you have ever had involuntary movements of your tongue, mouth, or face.
Show 13 more warnings
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience fever, severe muscle stiffness, sweating, or decreased awareness (Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome).
- Tell your doctor if you have Parkinson's disease or dementia. This medicine is not for elderly dementia patients.
- Your doctor may need to check your white blood cell count if you have had low levels before, as this medicine can rarely cause a dangerous drop.
- Tell your doctor if you have diabetes or risk factors for high blood sugar, as your blood sugar levels will need to be monitored.
- Tell your doctor if you have epilepsy.
- If you are male and have ever had a prolonged or painful erection, tell your doctor.
- Tell your doctor if you have problems regulating your body temperature or if you tend to overheat.
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease.
- Tell your doctor if you have abnormally high prolactin levels or a prolactin-dependent tumor.
- Tell your doctor if you or your family has a history of blood clots, as antipsychotics can increase this risk.
- This medicine can cause weight gain, and your doctor will monitor your weight regularly.
- If you are scheduled for eye surgery, especially for cataracts, tell your eye doctor that you are using this medicine.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you or your caregiver notice sudden changes in mental state, weakness or numbness on one side of your face, arms, or legs, or slurred speech, as these may be signs of a stroke.
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)