Drug Uses
Risperdal is used for treatment of schizophrenia or bipolar mania. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
How Taken
Use Risperdal as directed by your doctor. Take Risperdal with or without a meal. Taking Risperdal at the same time each day will help you remember to take it. Continue to take Risperdal even if you feel well.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. However if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the Missed Dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Storage
Store Risperdal at 59 to 86 °F (15 to 30 °C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Risperdal out of the reach of children.
More Information
Risperdal may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or changes in vision. These effects may worsen if Risperdal is taken with alcohol or certain other medications. Use Risperdal with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to this drug. If your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen, contact your doctor. Risperdal should be used only by the patient for whom it has been prescribed. Do not take less or more or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Warnings/Precautions
Before taking Risperdal, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if you have allergies to medicines, if you are allergic to any ingredient in Risperdal, if you have heart problems (eg, history of heart attack or ischemia, heart failure, irregular heartbeat), problems with the blood vessels in your brain (eg, history of stroke), or high or low blood pressure, or if you are dehydrated or have a low level of fluid in your body, if you have Alzheimer disease or other dementia, trouble swallowing, breast cancer, Parkinson disease, kidney or liver problems, or a history of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) or suicidal thoughts or attempts, if you have diabetes or a family history of diabetes, or if you are very overweight, if you will be exposed to extreme heat, if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast–feeding.
If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Risperdal while you are pregnant. Risperdal is found in breast milk. Do not breast–feed while taking Risperdal. Some medicines may interact with Risperdal. Therefore tell your doctor of all prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement that you are taking. It may take several days to weeks for Risperdal to work. Do not stop taking Risperdal without your doctor`s approval. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Risperdal. Symptoms may include fever, stiff muscles, confusion, abnormal thinking, fast or irregular heartbeat, and sweating.
Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms. Do not become overheated in hot weather or while you are being active, heatstroke may occur. Some patients who take Risperdal may develop muscle movements that they cannot control. This is more likely to happen in elderly patients, especially women. The chance that this will happen or that it will become permanent is greater in those who take Risperdal in higher doses or for a long time. Muscle problems may also occur after short–term treatment with low doses. Tell your doctor at once if you have muscle problems with your arms, legs, or your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, tongue sticking out, puffing of cheeks, mouth puckering, chewing movements) while taking Risperdal. Risperdal may, in rare instances, increase your blood level prolactin. Symptoms may include unusual breast milk production, missed menstrual period, or decreased sexual ability, decreased ability to produce sperm, or enlarged breasts.
Risperdal may raise your blood sugar. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit–like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away. Risperdal should be used with extreme caution in children. Safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
Possible Side Effects
Some of the Possible Side Effects are- Agitation, anxiety, constipation, coughing, diarrhea, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, drowsiness, dry skin, fatigue, headache, increased dreams, increased salivation, indigestion, joint pain, nausea, nervousness, runny nose, sleeplessness, stomach pain, toothache, vomiting, and weight gain.
Contact your doctor if any of these or other side effects occur. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, you should seek medical attention immediately- allergic reactions (rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue), aggressive behaviour, altered mental abilities, including lack of response to your surroundings, change in urination, chest pain, confusion, decreased sexual ability or desire, difficulty swallowing, enlarged breasts, fainting, fast or irregular heartbeat, fever, increased thirst, loss of coordination, mental/mood changes, missed menstrual period, muscle rigidness or stiffness, numbness in the face, arms, or legs, one–sided weakness, prolonged painful erection, seizures, severe dizziness, slurred speech, sudden severe headache, thoughts of suicide, unusual breast milk production, unusual or uncontrolled muscle movements, unusual sweating, vision changes, weakness.
