What is Risperdal?

Risperdal (resperidone tablets) is in a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics. Antipsychotic medicines are used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia that may include hearing voices, seeing things, sensing things that are not there, mistaken beliefs or unusual suspiciousness.

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.

Risperdal Health Risks

Risperdal and other antipsychotic medications can cause serious problems such as:

• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), a life-threatening nervous system problem, which can cause high fever, stiff muscles, sweating, fast or irregular heart beat, change in blood pressure, and confusion. NMS can also affect your kidneys and is a medical emergency. Call your healthcare professional right away if you experience these symptoms.

• Tardive Dyskinesia (TD), a movement problem. Call your healthcare professional right away if you get muscle movements that cannot be stopped.

• High blood sugar and diabetes. Patients with diabetes or who have a higher chance for diabetes should have their blood sugar checked often.

• Strokes have occurred in older patients treated for mental illness from dementia. Risperdal is not approved for this use.

Other serious side effects from Risperdal use may include:

• low blood pressure seen as dizziness
• increased heartbeat
• possible fainting
• seizures
• persistent erection
• thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (seen as fever and bruising)
• increase or decrease in body temperature
• difficulty swallowing

The most common side effects from Risperdal use include:

• anxiety
• uncontrolled movements
• constipation
• nausea
• upset stomach
• runny nose
• rash
• vision changes
• saliva increase
• abdominal pain
• inability to control urination
• weight gain