Case Evaluation

Risperdal: Risperdal Overview

Risperdal Overview

What is Risperdal?

Risperdal (resperidone tablets) is in a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics. It is prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder that can cause delusions (false beliefs) and hallucinations. Risperdal is thought to work by muting the impact of dopamine and serotonin, two of the brain's key chemical messengers.

Risperdal may be used alone or with lithium or divalproex for short-term treatment of mixed or manic episodes in adults who have a condition called Bipolar I disorder. Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings. Risperdal is made by Janssen, L.P. and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993.

Risperdal FDA Alert

In April 2005, the FDA issued an alert stating that older patients treated with atypical antipsychotic medicines, such as Risperdal, for dementia had a higher chance for death than patients who did not take the medicine. The FDA stated further that this is not an approved use and has asked the companies that make these medicines to change their labels to include this important information.

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Professional?

Before you start taking Risperdal, tell your healthcare professional if you:

  • have or had heart problems
  • have or have had seizures
  • have or had diabetes or increased blood sugar
  • have or had liver disease
  • have an obstruction of your intestines
  • have Reye's syndrome
  • have a brain tumor
  • are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding
  • drink alcohol
  • have a condition called phenylketonuria

Interactions With Other Drugs and Foods

Because certain other medications can interact with Risperdal, you should talk first with your healthcare professional about all prescription and non-prescription medicines you are taking. Your healthcare professional may have to adjust your dose or watch you more closely if you take the following medications:

  • blood pressure medicines
  • levodopa and medicines called dopamine agonists
  • clozapine
  • carbamazepine
  • phenytoin
  • rifampin
  • phenobarbital
  • fluoxetine and
  • paroxetine

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Risperdal.

Is There Anything Else I Need to Know About Taking Risperdal?

Dizziness, and sometimes fainting, caused by a drop in blood pressure may occur with Risperdal, especially when you first start taking this medicine or when the dose is increased. Risperdal may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills. You should be careful when operating machinery, including automobiles, until you know how Risperdal affects you. It is important to avoid overheating and dehydration while taking Risperdal, because Risperdal use may make it harder to lower your body temperature.

Recommended Dosage

SCHIZOPHRENIA

Adults: Doses of Risperdal can be taken once a day, or divided in half and taken twice daily. The usual dose on the first day is 2 milligrams or 2 milliliters of oral solution. On the second day, the dose increases to 4 milligrams or milliliters, and on the third day rises to 6 milligrams or milliliters. Further dosage adjustments can be made at intervals of 1 week. Over the long term, typical daily doses range from 2 to 8 milligrams or milliliters.

BIPOLAR MANIA (SHORT-TERM TREATMENT OF ACUTE EPISODES)

Adults: The recommended starting dose is 2 to 3 milligrams (or milliliters of oral solution) per day, given as a single dose. If needed, the doctor will adjust the dose by 1 milligram at intervals of at least 24 hours. The effective dosage range is 1 to 6 milligrams a day.

DOSAGE ADJUSTMENT

The doctor may prescribe lower doses if you are weak, elderly, have liver or kidney disease, or have a high risk for low blood pressure. The usual starting dose is 0.5 milligram (or 0.5 milliliter of oral solution) twice a day. The doctor may switch you to a once-a-day dosing schedule after the first 2 to 3 days of treatment.

If needed, each dose may be increased by increments of no more than 0.5 milligram. Increases to dosages above 1.5 milligrams twice a day should generally me made at intervals of at least 1 week.

You may also need your Risperdal dose adjusted if you're taking certain medications, including Dilantin, Paxil, phenobarbital, Prozac, Rifadin, and Tegretol.

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