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Risperidone - Uses - Dosages - Side Effects - Precautions

Risperidone: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What Is Risperidone?

Risperidone is a second-generation antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar mania, and severe depression. Risperidone reduces the overactivity of the brain through inhibition of dopaminergic and serotonergic receptors in the brain. Risperidone is used in various age groups for the management of various brain-related disorders. In adults and children above 13 years, Risperidone is used for the treatment of Schizophrenia. In children between 5 to 16 years the drug is used for the treatment of irritability due to autism.

Risperidone is a Schedule 8 drug and hence will be sold only after producing a prescription from a registered medical practitioner.

What Are the Uses of Risperidone?

Risperidone is available in 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg to 3mg tablets. Risperidone is indicated for use in Schizophrenia as a single therapy drug. The drug is also used in combination with valproate for bipolar disorder. In Autism cases, Risperidone is indicated for the treatment of irritation, aggressive behavior, mood swings.

The precautionary warning for use of Risperidone is issued by FDA to suspend the use of the drug in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis due to increased risk of deaths.

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What are the Side Effects of Risperidone?

 Risperidone should be administered under competent supervision, the common side effects include

  • Continuous blinking of eye movements
  • Breast swelling and tenderness
  • Disturbance in the menstrual cycle

 Serious adverse events can be some in some cases as

  • Stiffening of muscles of hands and legs,
  •  Uneven heartbeats
  • Bleeding from nose, mouth, vagina, rectum

Risperidone should not be consumed along with alcohol, sudden movements to be avoided after taking medication.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Risperidone

1. Why Take Risperidone at Night?

Risperidone is a dopaminergic and serotonergic receptors inhibitor, the drug impairs normal muscle movements, the calming effect of the drug impairs normal brain activities. Taking Risperidone at Night reduces the risk of falls, it is advised to avoid rapid muscle movements like getting up too fast, feeling of dizziness is also common.

2. How Long Does Risperidone Take to Make You Sleepy?

The half-life of Risperidone is 3 hours. 70% of the drug is available in circulation within 1 hour of ingestion of the drug and 90% of the drug is available in circulation within 1.5 hours of ingestion of the drug. The action of Risperidone will start within 30 mins with maximum sleep induction after 1 hour of ingestion of the tablet.

3. Can Risperidone Cause Anxiety?

Risperidone is used to treat anxiety, the side effects of Risperidone have not mentioned anxiety as a common or severe side effect. The anti-dopaminergic effect of Risperidone is found to be useful for the treatment of severe anxiety and depression.

4. Can Risperidone Cause Mania?

In some cases, people being treated with Risperidone have shown symptoms of mania and hypomania especially those diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

5. Is Risperidone A Psychotropic Medication?

Risperidone is a Psychotropic Medication that alters the mental stage of a person. Risperidone is a benzisoxazole derivative affecting dopaminergic and serotonergic receptors bringing in a reduction in brain activity.

6. What Happens If You Overdose on Risperidone?

The studies on patients using Risperidone have shown overdosing happens if the drug is consumed above 20mg. The overdose has not led to any deaths in studies. However, consumption of drugs over 36mg has shown seizure, increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure.

7. Can You Get High Off Risperidone?

Risperidone is not a recreational drug. You cannot buy the drug from a pharmacy without a valid prescription. The drug leads to drowsiness and sedation. The drug will not alter the state of mind but will reduce brain activity thus you cannot get high off Risperidone.

8. What Does Risperidone Do to A Normal Person?

If a normal person takes a single dose of Risperidone by mistake, it is advised to consult the physician as early as possible. The drug will lead to drowsiness and sleepiness, in case you experience any of the side effects, you may be placed under medical supervision for 1 to 2 days as there are no specific antidotes for Risperidone.

9. Does Risperidone Calm You Down?

Risperidone is primarily given for calming down patients suffering from schizophrenia, maniac disorder, autism. The drug should not however be taken by apparently healthy individuals. In the case of severe depression, Risperidone is a primary drug for calming down the patients.

10. Is Risperidone A Mood Stabilizer?

Risperidone is not a mood stabilizer drug. However, Risperidone is combined with lithium or valproate to stabilize cases of bipolar manic disorders, aggressive behavior in autism.

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Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.