Risperidone (By injection)

ris-PER-i-done

Treats schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Drug classes

Antipsychotic (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Risperidone injection is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic (mental) disorders, such as schizophrenia. It may be used alone or together with other medicines (e.g., lithium or valproate) to treat patients with bipolar disorder. This medicine should not be used to treat behavioral problems in older adults who have dementia.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Injectable

Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.

A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine. This medicine is usually given every 2 weeks.

Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Some foods and medicines can affect how risperidone works. Tell your doctor if you are using carbamazepine, cimetidine, clozapine, fluoxetine, levodopa, paroxetine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, quinidine, ranitidine, rifampin, valproate, or blood pressure medicine.

Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to risperidone.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant or breastfeed while you are using this medicine and for at least 12 weeks after you stop using it.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, a low white blood cell count, Parkinson disease, trouble swallowing, or a history of breast cancer or seizures. Tell your doctor if you have heart failure, low blood pressure, or a history of a heart attack or stroke.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Increased risk of stroke Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) Tardive dyskinesia (could be permanent, and may include involuntary facial muscle movement) High blood sugar or high cholesterol levels Increased levels of a hormone called prolactin Low blood pressure

This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

This medicine may change how your body regulates temperature. Avoid activities that could cause you to become very cold, hot, or dehydrated.

This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

Fever, sweating, confusion, or muscle stiffness

Increased hunger or thirst, change in how much or how often you urinate

Jerky muscle movements you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw)

Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

Painful, prolonged erection of the penis

Seizures or tremors

Swelling of the breasts, breast soreness, nipple discharge (in both women and men)

Trouble swallowing

Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Constipation, decreased appetite, vomiting, or stomach pain

Drowsiness or headache

Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, body aches

Pain, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the shot is given

Weight gain

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Risperdal Consta

There may be other brand names for this medicine.