Risperdal
Brand name: Risperdal
Generic name: Risperidone
Description
Risperidone is an antipsychotic drug designed for treating schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder which is characterized by disturbed thinking and frequent emotional changes.
It is also utilized in treating of maniac depressive disorders or the bipolar disorder, and to treat the behavioral changes in children with autism. Risperdal comes under atypical antipsychotic drugs, which act by changing the natural activity of brain.
Manufacturer and Availability
Risperidone, with the brand name Risperdal was manufactured first by Janssen-Cilag and released in 1994. Recently several other companies, including Teva Pharmaceuticals, Apotex Corporation are manufacturing Risperidone. It is available worldwide, including US, UK, Canada and Australia.
Risperidone is available in tablets, liquid and as an easily soluble pill to be administered orally. The rispiridone oral solution can be taken along with juices, water or milk.
Indications
Risperidone is prescribed for the treating of bipolar disorders, adult and adolescent schizophrenia, Tourette syndrome. It is also utilized in the treatment of frenzied mania and in teenagers with behavioral problems like selfinjury, aggression and sudden mood changes.
How it works?
Though the precise process of activity of Risperidone is still unknown, it is reported to impact the nerve cells in the brain like any other antipsychotic drugs. It may either stimulate or diminish the communication between nerves.
Recommended Dosage
The usual starting dose of Risperidone is 1mg two times a day for the treatment of psychological disorders in adults. Use only the measuring spoon provided with the liquid risperidine as a household spoon may not give accurate dosage. The initial dosage will be increased over a period of time till target dosage of 3mg twice a day is reached.
Missed dosages must be taken as soon it is noticed, and if it is time for the next dose, ignore the missed dose. Never take another dosage of Risperidone as it might lead to serious adverse reactions.
Drug interaction
Risperidone potentially interacts with many drugs causing serious reactions in the patient’s body. A few drugs that interact with risperidone include, carbamazepine, phenytoin, cimetidine, ranitidine, rifamycin antibiotics, etc.
Risperidone when used in conjunction with other anticonvulsion drugs may not give the desired effect as the antiseizure drug decreses the level of risperidone in blood. When both Risperidine and anticonvulsant drugs need to be used, the GP may increase the dose of Risperidone.
Risperidone when taken with cimentidine may hike the level of risperidine in blood cells rising the risk of adverse events.
Precautions and Warnings
Visit your doctor:
- if you have allergies to any medication.
- if you are unsure about the prescription/non prescription drugs, nutritional supplements, herbal products currently using
- if you are a drug or alcohol addict
- regarding recent surgeries, dental visits
- if you have liver disease, any forms of dementia, allergies, including drug and food allergy.
Do not drive vehicles after administering Risperidone as the patient may become drowsy after the receipt of the pill.
Risperidone makes the body difficult to adjust with sudden temperature changes. Any vigorous exercise that the patient does needs to be discussed with the doctor.
Side effects
Mild side effects of Risperidone include:
- acne,
- drowsiness,
- vomiting,
- heart burn,
- dry mouth,
- diarrhea,
- weight gain,
- etc.
Some of the serious side effects of Resperidone are as follows:
- fever,
- seizures,
- skin rashes,
- complicated breath,
- etc.
Call for a medical help if the side effects last more than 24 hours.
Risperidone may lead to muscle spasms in the body and is more common in females. This side effect is called tardive dyskinesia and may become a permanent one. Any related sign that is noted after the intake of Risperidone need to be intimated to the doctor and Risperidone treatment will have to be discontinued.
