Risperdal Quick Facts

Risperdal is a second-generation antipsychotic. It works by reducing dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain.

Generic Name: Risperidone

Primary Uses:

• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar Disorder

Other Uses:

• Schizoaffective Disorder
• Autism
• Treatment-resistant depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Eating disorders
• Tourette’s Syndrome

Availability: 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 2mg, 3mg and 4mg oral tablets, 0.5mg, 1mg, 2mg, 3mg, 4mg sublingual tablets. Also available is Risperdal Consta, an intramuscular injection which is given every 2 weeks.

Contraindications: 

• Liver or kidney disease
• Heart rhythm problems
• High cholesterol or triglycerides
• Past heart attacks or strokes
• Past breast cancer
• Epilepsy or seizures
• Diabetes
• Suicidal thoughts
• Parkinson’s disease
• Trouble swallowing

Side Effects:

• Weight gain
• Akathesia
• Sedation
• Dysphoria
• Insomnia
• Elevated prolactin levels
• Low blood pressure
• High blood pressure
• Muscle stiffness or pain
• Tremors
• Hypersalivation
• Constipation
• Runny nose
• Lactation
• Photosensitivity

Serious Side Effects:

• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• Extrapyramidal symptoms
• Tardive dyskinesia

Black Box Warnings: Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death.

Metabolization: Liver
Excretion: Urinary
Half-Life: 20 hours

Withdrawal Effects: Risperdal should be tapered down slowly to avoid any rebound psychosis or withdrawal effects. Withdrawal effects include insomnia, lightheadedness, rapid heart rate, dyskinesia, nervousness, dizziness, headache, non-stop crying, and anxiety.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risperidone

http://www.drugs.com/risperidone.html

http://www.rxlist.com/risperdal-drug.htm