Risperidone
About
Risperidone belongs to the group of medicines called 'antipsychotics' used to treat schizophrenia. It is also used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat mania or mixed episodes (mania and depression) in adults and children above 10 years with bipolar disorder. Risperidone is also used to treat behavioural problems in children aged 5 to 16 years with autism.
Risperidone contains 'Risperidone' that works by blocking the effects of chemical messengers in the brain (i.e. dopamine and serotonin), thereby helps in improving mood, behaviour and thoughts. Risperidone elevates the symptoms of the disease and prevents them from coming back.
Take Risperidone as prescribed by the doctor. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as sleepiness, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, and fatigue. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.
Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Avoid breastfeeding while on treatment with Risperidone. Risperidone may cause dizziness, so do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Risperidone as it could lead to increased dizziness. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medications to rule out any side-effects/interactions.
Uses of Risperidone
Medicinal Benefits
Risperidone belongs to the group of medicines called antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia. It is also used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat mania or mixed episodes (mania and depression) in adults and children above 10 years with bipolar disorder. Risperidone is also used to treat behavioural problems such as irritability, aggression, self-injury, and mood changes in children aged 5 to 16 years with autism. Risperidone works by blocking the effects of chemical messengers in the brain (i.e. dopamine and serotonin), thereby helps in improving mood, behaviour and thoughts. Risperidone elevates the symptoms of the disease and prevents them from coming back.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Risperidone
- Sleepiness
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Risperidone if you are allergic to any of its contents. Inform your doctor if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, low white blood cell count, seizures, breast cancer, low bone mineral density, Parkinson's disease, dehydration, phenylketonuria (accumulation of amino acid-phenylalanine in the body), liver or kidney problems. Rise slowly from sitting or lying position as Risperidone may cause orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering in blood pressure leading to dizziness on standing). Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Avoid breastfeeding while on treatment with Risperidone.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Risperidone may have interaction with drugs used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (aripiprazole), drugs used to treat anxiety disorders (lorazepam, diazepam, alprazolam), anti-depressants (citalopram, duloxetine, fluoxetine, escitalopram, trazodone, sertraline), anti-histamine (diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine), anti-convulsant (divalproex sodium, gabapentin, clonazepam, lamotrigine, pregabalin), pain killers (oxycodone, tramadol), bronchodilator (albuterol), and drugs used to treat psychosis (quetiapine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption whilst on treatment with Risperidone.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have dementia (memory loss), CNS depression, liver disease, seizures, low blood pressure, diabetes, lipid alterations, parkinsonism, acute alcohol intoxication, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (occurs due to reaction with anti-psychotic drugs), Tardive dyskinesia (repetitive, involuntary movements), irregular heartbeat (with QT interval prolongation), kidney impairment/disease, blood abnormalities, Priapism (prolonged erection of the penis), and hyperprolactinemia (higher levels of prolactin in the blood).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Risperidone as it may cause increased dizziness. Risperidone may also increase the effects of alcohol.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this; your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeRisperidone may pass into the breastmilk, so it is not safe to breastfeed while taking Risperidone. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Driving
unsafeRisperidone may cause tiredness, dizziness and sleepiness. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience these symptoms.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionRisperidone should be given to children only if prescribed by the doctor. The safety and effectiveness of Risperidone in children below 13 years with schizophrenia, below 10 years with bipolar disorder, and below 5 years with autistic disorder have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
- Regularly attend therapy sessions.
- Perform meditation and yoga.
- Follow a regular sleep pattern.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Learn about your condition, understand the risk factors and follow the doctor’s treatment plan.
Special Advise
- While taking Risperidone, you may become more sensitive to extreme temperatures (like too hot or too cold). Hence, it is advisable to avoid getting too cold or too hot or becoming dehydrated, especially during summer. Drink plenty of fluid and water to cope with this condition.
- If you are due to undergo surgery or dental procedure, inform the doctor that you are taking Risperidone.
- Consult your doctor immediately if you have suicidal tendencies, such as thoughts of harming or killing yourself.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Schizophrenia: It is a condition in which the person may see, hear or feel things that are not there, believe things that are not true, feel unusually suspicious or confused. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, movement disorders, disorganised thinking, loss of interest, lack of emotions, etc.
Manic depression (bipolar disorder): Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression or bipolar disease, is a mental health disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from manic highs to depressive lows. Symptoms of manic episodes include high energy, loss of touch with reality, and reduced need for sleep. Symptoms of depressive episodes include low motivation, low energy, and loss of interest in daily life.
Autism: It is a developmental diability which causes repetitive behaviour, problems with communication, and difficulty interacting with others.
FAQs
Risperidone works by balancing the chemical messengers called neurotransmitter and blocking the effect of dopamine and serotonin located in the brain, thereby helps in improving mood, behaviour and thoughts.
Risperidone may cause an increase in blood glucose (sugar) levels. So, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is advised while taking Risperidone. Diabetes patients should consult a doctor before taking Risperidone.
Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might help in stimulating saliva and thereby prevents drying of the mouth.
Orthostatic hypotension could be a side-effect of Risperidone. Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden lowering in blood pressure leading to dizziness on standing. If you experience this, do not try to stand up suddenly or start walking, instead lie down and get up slowly only when you feel better.
Taking Risperidone along with blood pressure-lowering medicines may cause low blood pressure. Therefore, consult your doctor if you are taking anti-hypertensives (drugs used to treat high blood pressure).
Risperidone may cause weight gain. Therefore, avoid excessive eating and follow a healthy diet. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
