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Risperdal

Risperdal which is also known as an atypical antipsychotic is prescribed to cure schizophrenia both in teenagers and adults. Sometimes, it helps to treat some mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and irritability which is associated with autistic disorder. This medication heprecautionslps you to cut down stress and let you live a healthy life.

Well, you shouldn’t choose this medication randomly rather you must take suggestions from your doctor. Also, know more about its side effects before you start availing the treatment. Though most of the side effects of this medicine are manageable, but others may stand to be serious as well as life-threatening for you.

Prescription Name and Overview

Risperdal contains Risperidone – a chemical class of benzisoxazole derivatives. However, there are different brand names available for Risperidone. And they are – Risperdal, Risperdal Consta and Risperdal M-TAB.

The actual mechanism of Risperidone is unknown. But it usually changes the activity of dopamine and other natural chemicals in the brain. This medication can be prescribed to treat bipolar disorder for the adults and children of at least 10 years age.

Also, Risperidone can cure the irritability in autistic patients who are between 5-16 years. And if you are using this medication to cure schizophrenia in adults, then prescribe it to those children who are at least 13years old.

Generic Name and Overview

Risperidone is referred to be the generic version of Risperdal and it is available all around the United States. Well, you can’t get Risperdal Consta easily available just like Risperidone. The generic version of this drug is usually available at a lower cost rather than the brand version. Sometimes, in can be noticed that the brand name and the generic name of this drug are available in different forms and strengths.

OTC  Name and Overview

Manufacturer

Risperdal has been manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a division of Johnson & Johnson. This next generation drug is recommended to be safer than the older one. This oral medication is considered to be a fast-dissolving tablet. Also, there is a controlled release injection which is known as Risperdal Consta.

According to the professionals, the patients must take this medicine on a regular basis so that they can receive the best benefit out of this tablet. Moreover, one shouldn’t stop taking this oral medication without consulting the doctor.

Labeled Indications

  • Schizophrenia – the acute mental illness can be cured by using this drug
  • Bipolar I disorder is another manic disorder that can be healed by Risperdal
  • Risperdal is effective for Autism patients
Off-label Uses
  • Risperidone is mostly effective for major depressive disorders
  • It helps you to manage the behavioral disturbances
  • Also, cures the psychosis in a patient who suffer from dementia  

Active Ingredients

Risperidone (Risperdal is comprised of 0.5,1,2,3 or 4mg of Risperidone)

Inactive Ingredients

Risperdal tablet contains some of the inactive ingredients and they are –

  • colloidal silicon dioxide
  • Lactose
  • hypromellose
  • propylene glycol
  • starch (corn)
  • microcrystalline cellulose
  • magnesium stearate
  • sodium lauryl sulfate

Risperdal oral solution also contains some inactive ingredients and they are –

  • tartaric acid
  • sodium hydroxide
  • benzoic acid
  • purified water

Additionally, Risperdal M-TAB Orally Disintegrating tablet is comprised of the following inactive ingredients –

  • Amberlite resin
  • Mannitol
  • Simethicone
  • Gelatin
  • Glycine
  • Aspartame
  • Sodium hydroxide
  • Red ferric oxide

What Is It Used For?

Risperdal is mainly prescribed to cure major mental disorder named Schizophrenia. This mental illness can cause unusual thinking or disturbed mind issues. The patient can feel loss of interest in life and some inappropriate emotions may occur. However, Risperdal is prescribed to adults and also the teenagers who are 13 years old or above can take this medication only after consulting their doctors.

The episodes of mania such as – abnormally excited, frenzied, or irritated mood can also be treated by this medication. Moreover, the mixed episodes such as – different symptoms of mania and depression in adults can be cured using this medication. Children of 10 years age or older who are suffering from bipolar disorder can take Risperdal to cure the issues.

Also, some of the behavioral issues like – self-injury, aggression and sudden mood changes in teenagers can get reduced with this medication. Children between 5 to 16 years of age who have developed autism can find this medicine effective. This medication works by changing the activities of some natural substances in the brain.

How Does it Work?

Risperdal is a 1mg tablet that should be taken on a regular basis as prescribed by your specialist. One should not stop taking this medication without consulting the doctor. Also, if you wish to refill it, take advice from your specialist to avoid further trouble.

This medicine comes as a solution, a tablet and an orally disintegrating tablet as well. Well, the patient can quickly consume it by mouth. The doctors usually prescribe this medicine once or twice in a day. You can also take this drug with or without food. Try to take this medicine around the same time every day and also you must follow the direction that is mentioned on the label. If your pharmacist or doctor has told you anything about this drug that you haven’t understood, then don’t forget to ask them repeat the instruction again.

There is a dropper provided with the solution that helps you to measure the dose that you are taking every day. The oral solution can be taken using water, coffee, orange juice or any low-fat milk. Avoid tea and cola while consuming this oral solution.

What are the Approved Uses?

Risperdal was approved by FDA in the year of 1993 while the active ingredients in this drug Risperidone didn’t get approval from Food and Drug Administration for treating the behavioral problems. A recent survey has stated that FDA has approved the doses and uses of this drug in some ways and they are as follows –

IndicationInitial doseTitration Target dose Effective dose
Schizophrenia    
Adults2 mg/day1-2 mg/day4-8 mg/day4-16 mg/day
Adolescents0.5 mg/day0.5-1 mg/day3 mg/day1-6 mg/day
Bipolar Disorder    
Adults2-3 mg/day1 mg/day1-6 mg/day1-6 mg/day
Children / Adolescents0.5 mg/day0.5-1 mg/day2.5 mg/day0.5-6 mg/day
Autism Spectrum Disorders    
Irritability associated with autistic disorder.
Pediatric patients		0.25 mg/day (<20 kg), 0.5 mg/day ( ≥ 20kg)0.25-0.5 mg at ≥ 2 weeks0.5 mg/day (<20 kg), 1 mg/day ( ≥ 20kg)0.5-3 mg/day

Production Anecdotes / History

Janssen pharmaceuticals started manufacturing this drug and Risperdal first got its approval in the year of 2002 from FDA. Adults and teenagers at least of 13 years old can get good result out of this drug to treat schizophrenia. In 2013, Risperdal received the approval for short-term treatment of children of 10 years and older and adults who suffer from bipolar disorder or episodes of unusually excited moods. The first generic form of Risperdal received approval in 2008.

However, this drug is dangerous for people who are suffering from dementia. And Janssen was asked to pay the fine for misbranding this product amongst the pharmacist and doctors. A civil settlement of more than $1.67 billion was issued.

Precautions

There are certain considerations that you must take care of. However, you must tell your doctor if you are allergic to the main active ingredient of this drug and that’s Risperidone. Also, if you have developed allergy while taking any other medicine, then inform your doctor the same. Here are some other precautions that you must take care of before you start taking Risperdal and they are as follows –

  • Before consuming this medicine, inform your pharmacist about your entire medical history. Especially, if you have liver disease, seizures, low white blood cell count and kidney disease etc.
  • Patients who are suffering from dementia, certain eye problems, and Parkinson’s disease should also consult doctor before taking Risperdal.
  • High cholesterol level and breathing trouble during sleep may create bad impact on you if you have started taking Risperdal all of a sudden. So, ask your doctor before the specialist prescribe you the same.
  • If you are pregnant, then you must inform the doctor about your condition. Even if you plan to become pregnant, then also your doctor must know about your current condition before prescribing this drug.
  • If you are going to face any kind of in future that may include dental surgery as well, then you should tell your doctor about that.
  • Risperidone may cause drowsiness. Hence, you should not drive a car right after taking this medicine.
  • Inform your doctor if you have used large amount of alcohol or street drug. Also, if your medication has been overdosed, in that case tell your doctor immediately to slow down the medication to avoid certain accidents.
  • This medication has a tendency to make people sweat less. So, whenever you catch cold, make sure you are using proper things to keep yourself warm unless it may lead you towards heat stroke.
  • Avoid things that make you overheat such as excessive exercise in hot weather or taking hot tub bath for long hours. Drink lot of fluid as well as wear light dresses. If you get a symptom to overheat, then immediately find some way to cool down or rest for some time.
  • If you have high fever, then consult the specialist and tell that person about your    medication. Don’t take random tablets to get rid of fever without asking your doctor.
  • If you are suffering from phenylketonuria, then it is important to follow proper diet and ask your doctor for some advice before taking Risperdal.  

Long-Term Use Considerations

Tardive dyskinesia or TD is the name of a side effect that gets increased with the long-term use of any kind of antipsychotics. However, Risperidone is supposed to be the only antipsychotics that have reflected a lower risk of developing TD compared to other antipsychotics. Well, after taking Risperidone if you have felt any symptoms of developing TD, then immediately consult your specialist. Every patient who are asked to take antipsychotics should have completed an abnormal involuntary movement scale on a regular basis in order to monitor TD.

Drug Interactions

According to the WebMD experts – drug interactions may change your every day medication habit. Make a list of products that you regularly use and give it to your specialist or the pharmacist. After scrutinizing the list, the doctor or the pharmacist may advice you something better to avoid the interactions. Well, you should not start, stop or change the dosage of the medication without consulting the doctor.

Can Interact with the Following

Serious Interactions
Moderate Interactions

Can’t Interact with the Following

There is no such report available where you can get a medication that usually doesn’t interact with this drug. However, if you are already taking any of these above medicines, then it is advisable that you must take doctor’s advice before starting Risperdal medicine course. Sometimes, changing the dose of the medicines may help you to revive good health condition.

When To Stop Taking

  • If you are allergic to the ingredients of Risperdal, then you must stop taking this drug.
  • Also, check whether you are developing the sign of allergy like rashes on your skin or itching or shortness of breath. If all these uncertain things happen to you, then stop consuming Risperdal.
  • If you find that the oral solution is not looking right, then stop taking.
  • If the package is torn or being tampered with, then you should not take this medication.
  • Don’t use Risperdal without the permission of your doctor.  

Long-Term Side Effects

There is no such long-term side effect of this medication, but you may develop some serious issues while taking it and they are as follows –

  • Fever
  • Fast or irregular pulse
  • Abnormal movements of your face or body that you cannot control
  • Rash
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Confusion
  • Slow movements or shuffling walk
  • Hives
  • Trouble breathing or swallowing
  • Itching
  • Sweating
  • Painful erection that lasts for hours
  • Seizures
  • Lightheadedness
Risperdal Side Effects

United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Warnings 

FDA has issued an alert in the year of 2011. Well, it is all about the medication errors that involve patients who are mistakenly prescribed antipsychotics Risperidone instead of ropinirole. According to FDA an evaluation has said that almost 226 wrong drug medication errors have been figured out which is related to the confusion between these two drugs.

Reason behind the confusion –

  • There is a similarity between generic and brand names
  • Sometimes illegible handwritten prescription were found
  • The containers label and cartoon packaging are similar
  • An overlapping product characteristic is found and they are related to dosage and dosing intervals as well as the drug strengths.

Other Common Side Effects

The following side effects are common. However, if the symptoms are severe and do not go away, call your doctor immediately:

  • Weight gain
  • Agitation
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Muscle or joint paint
  • Late or missed menstrual periods
  • Anxiety
  • Increased appetite
  • Increased saliva
  • Nausea
  • Heartburn
  • Restlessness
  • Decreased sexual ability
  • Vision problems
  • Diarrhea
  • Trouble urinating
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Dry mouth
  • Dry or discolored skin.
  • Breast enlargement
  • Stomach pain

Lawsuits

Many of the lawsuits have been filed against Risperdal for its adverse effect on both boys and girls. Risperdal is another cause of gynecomastia which is referred to the enlargement of breast tissues in males. On the other hand, even a woman who is not of child bearing age may face lactation. This drug is not responsible for movement disorders in patients. Additionally, this drug sometimes found to be illegally marketed. As loads of lawsuits are filed against this medication, the trails are still awaiting.

Sources Cited (4)

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2008/019908s027lbl.pdf

https://psychopharmacologyinstitute.com/antipsychotics/risperidone/risperidone-indications-fda-approved-and-off-label-uses/

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-9846/risperdal-oral/details

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20110614/fda-reports-requip-risperdal-medication-errors#1

Tracy Everhart is the Editor for Drug Law Journal. A highly-trained and certified medical professional, Tracy is also an accomplished medical writer. After spending years on the front lines of the medical profession, Tracy now devotes her expertise and skills to researching and reporting on new drugs and devices that enter the market, as well as their side-effects and the real-life stories involved. Prior to joining Drug Law Journal, Tracy wrote for benchmark online healthcare resources focused on families and, in particular, women’s health issues. Tracy holds post-graduate degrees from both the American College of Healthcare Sciences and the Yale School of Nursing. She is also a graduate of both Hampshire College, where she studied microbiology and the University of South Carolina school of nursing.

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