Why is Risperdal prescribed?

Risperdal is prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder that can cause delusions (false beliefs) and hallucinations. It is also used for the short-term treatment of mania associated with bipolar disorder. Risperdal is thought to work by muting the impact of dopamine and serotonin, two of the brain's key chemical messengers.

How should this medicine be used?

Risperidone comes as a tablet, a solution (liquid), and an orally disintegrating tablet (tablet that dissolves quickly in the mouth) to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day with or without food. Take risperidone at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take risperidone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Use the dropper provided to measure your dose of risperidone oral solution. You can take the oral solution with water, orange juice, coffee, or low-fat milk. Do not take the solution with tea or cola.

Do not try to push the orally disintegrating tablet through the foil. Instead, use dry hands to peel back the foil packaging. Immediately take out the tablet and place it on your tongue. The tablet will quickly dissolve and can be swallowed with or without liquid. Do not chew or crush the tablet.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of risperidone and gradually increase your dose to allow your body to adjust to the medication.

Risperidone may help control your symptoms but will not cure your condition. It may take several weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of risperidone. Continue to take risperidone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking risperidone without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking risperidone, your symptoms may return and your illness may become harder to treat.

How should you take Risperdal?

Do not take more or less of this medication than prescribed. Higher doses are more likely to cause unwanted side effects.

Risperdal may be taken with or without food.

Risperdal oral solution comes with a calibrated pipette to use for measuring. The oral solution can be taken with water, coffee, orange juice, and low-fat milk, but not with cola drinks or tea.

Risperdal orally disintegrating tablets (M-Tabs) come in blister packs and should not be removed from the package until you are ready to take them. When it's time for your dose, use dry fingers to peel back the foil of the blister pack to remove the tablet; do not push the tablet through the foil because this could damage the tablet. Immediately place the tablet on your tongue. The medication dissolves in the mouth quickly and can be swallowed with or without liquid. You should not split or chew the orally disintegrating tablets.

• If you miss a dose...
  Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

• Storage instructions...
  Store at room temperature. Protect tablets from light and moisture; protect oral solution from light and freezing.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Risperidone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• constipation
• heartburn
• dry mouth
• increased saliva
• increased appetite
• weight gain
• stomach pain
• anxiety
• agitation
• restlessness
• dreaming more than usual
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• decreased sexual interest or ability
• breastmilk production
• vision problems
• muscle or joint pain
• dry or discolored skin
• difficulty urinating

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:

• fever
• muscle stiffness
• confusion
• fast or irregular pulse
• sweating
• unusual movements of your face or body that you cannot control
• faintness
• seizures
• slow movements or shuffling walk
• rash
• hives
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• painful erection of the penis that lasts for hours

Risperidone may cause children to gain more weight than expected and for boys and male adolescents to have an increase in the size of their breasts. Talk to your doctor about the risks of giving this medication to your child.

Risperidone may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• drowsiness
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• upset stomach
• blurred vision
• fainting
• dizziness
• seizures

User Reviews

Comment from: 3-6 Male on Treatment for 6 months - 1 year (Caregiver)
It's like night and day. My son was out of control when he was not on this med and is able to control himself better now that he is on it. Besides all the weight he has gained, it's been a wonderful thing for him. Published: September 27, 2007 ::

Comment from: jglover0014, 25-34 Female on Treatment for 1-2 years (Caregiver)
My son has been on Risperdal .25 MG since being diagnosed with ADHD last year in kindergarten. Although this is now used in a complete regime of other medications and therapy, I am pleased with how it works for him. It helps him to control his anger outbursts and helps to keep his emotions "even" through out the day. The ONLY bad thing we have experienced is weight gain, he has gained 20 lbs in one year. However, he is not considered obese or overweight, it is an issue for parents to keep an eye on. Published: November 02, 2007 ::

Comment from: D's Mom, 35-44 Female on Treatment for 1-2 years (Caregiver)
My 15 year old son was put on Risperdal two years ago as a mood stabilizer, he had a horrible, violent hair-trigger temper punching holes in walls, throwing furniture, and wasn't even allowed to attend his regular middle school, he had to be taught off-campus due to constant explosions directed towards staff and students. Thank God for the Risperdal. He rarely even gets angry anymore, and I'm no longer afraid to confront him if he's behaved negatively. However, the weight gain has been enormous. He's grown a lot height wise, but the weight gain isn't in proportion. He's an athlete, lifts weights 5 days a week and works out with his track team every day. The problem is he's now 300 pounds, at 6'5", and he gained so much weight so fast he even has stretch marks on his waist, hips, under his arms, his shoulders, etc. His size is great for football, to a certain degree but not so much for basketball, as the extra weight really slows him down. He eats healthy, but enormous amounts of food. If not for the weight gain, this would be the perfect medication for him. Kids have started teasing him, even though he's a popular athlete at his high school. His success in school can only be attributed to being on Risperdal. We've had to gauge what's more important here, and since he was basically headed for a life of crime and juvenile detention centers followed most likely by life in adult prisons, we'll take the weight gain. Published: March 19, 2008 ::

Comment from: 3-6 Male on Treatment for 1-6 months (Caregiver)
My 4-year old has been prescribed this for his mood-disorder. He has been less angry and less violent. He is very emotional though. Instead of raging out, he cries more. He definately has an increased appetite. Overall, I would say that this is a very effective medication for him. Published: November 22, 2007 ::