Risperidone

Uses of Risperidone

Risperidone is an antipsychotic medicine that works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain.

Risperidone is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children who are at least 13 years old. Risperidone is also used to treat symptoms of bipolar disorder (manic depression) in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.

Risperidone is also used to treat symptoms of irritability in autistic children who are 5 to 16 years old.

Precautions and Warnings

Because risperidone can make it hard for you to regulate your body temperature, try to avoid becoming too hot or dehydrated. Drink plenty of water, limit your exposure to the heat and sun, do not overexercise, and wear light and breathable clothing.

If you are prescribed risperidone oral liquid, use the dosing syringe that comes with your medicine to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Risperidone oral liquid can be taken on its own or mixed with water, orange juice, low-fat milk, or coffee. Do not mix it with tea or cola. Ask your pharmacist how to measure and take your medicine properly.

If you are prescribed risperidone orally disintegrating tablets, do not remove the tablet from its blister pack until you are ready to take it. You should peel back the foil to open the blister pack. Do not push the tablet through the foil because doing so could damage the tablet. Make sure your hands are dry when handling these tablets. Place the tablet on your tongue right away and let it melt. Do not chew or split.

Risperidone injection is given to you by a health care provider in a hospital, clinic, or pharmacy every two weeks in your arm or buttock muscle. You should have taken risperidone by mouth before starting the injection to make sure you tolerate the medicine. After your first dose of risperidone injection, your health care provider may have you continue to take risperidone or your current antipsychotic by mouth for three weeks. Follow your health care provider’s instructions for how to use your medicine.

People who are 65 or older can be at greater risk for some side effects from risperidone. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

If you can become pregnant, using risperidone may make this more difficult. These effects likely go away after you stop using risperidone. Talk to your health care provider if you have any concerns.

Dosage

Typical Adult Dosage:

• Schizophrenia: Start with 1-2 mg per day, gradually increasing to 4-6 mg per day. The maximum dose is 16 mg per day, but such high doses are rarely used.
• Bipolar Mania: Start with 2-3 mg per day, usually ranging between 1-6 mg per day. Maximum dose is 6 mg per day.
• Anxiety or Sleep Issues (off-label): Low doses around 0.25-1 mg per day.

Children Dosage:

• For autism-related irritability (ages 5-17), the starting dose is 0.25-0.5 mg per day, with a usual range of 0.5-2.5 mg per day.
• For bipolar mania (ages 10-17), the starting dose is 0.5 mg per day, with a range of 1-6 mg per day.

Side Effects

Common Side Effects:

• Drowsiness
• Weight gain
• Increased appetite
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Hormonal changes (like breast swelling or lactation)