Risperidone (By injection)

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to risperidone or paliperidone.

Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine. This medicine is usually given every 2 weeks.
Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

Some foods and medicines can affect how risperidone works. Tell your doctor if you are using carbamazepine, cimetidine, clozapine, fluoxetine, levodopa, paroxetine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, quinidine, ranitidine, rifampin, valproate, or blood pressure medicine.
Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not become pregnant or breastfeed during treatment and for at least 12 weeks after you stop using this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, Parkinson disease, trouble swallowing, or a history of breast cancer or seizures. Tell your doctor if you have heart failure, low blood pressure, or a history of a heart attack or stroke.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
- Increased risk of stroke
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a nerve disorder that could be life-threatening)
- Tardive dyskinesia (a muscle disorder that could become permanent)
- High blood sugar or high cholesterol levels
- Increased levels of prolactin hormone
- Low blood pressure
This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
This medicine may change how your body regulates temperature. Avoid activities that could cause you to become very cold, hot, or dehydrated.
This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Fever, sweating, confusion, or muscle stiffness
Increased hunger or thirst, change in how much or how often you urinate
Jerky muscle movements you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw)
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking
Painful, prolonged erection of the penis
Seizures or tremors
Swelling of the breasts, breast soreness, nipple discharge (in both women and men)
Trouble swallowing
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

Last Updated: 1/27/2017