by Dr Pandula Siribaddana

Created on: October 01, 2010

What is Risperidone?

Risperidone is an atypical anti-psychotic drug and would be acting on the chemicals in the brain to relieve psychotic symptoms among susceptible individuals. It has been used in conditions such as schizophrenia, manic depressive psychosis and irritable symptoms in autistic children. But, it can be used in other conditions which would benefit from the use of this drug although psychotic symptoms manifesting due to dementia among elderly is not an indication to use Risperidone.

When should Risperidone be avoided?

As mentioned earlier, Risperidone have given rise to fatal cardiac outcomes, pneumonia and several other complications in the elderly patients with dementia and therefore should be avoided among this patient group. At the same time, one should divulge information related to any of the medical conditions that may be present before undertaking to use Risperidone to their doctor as certain disease elements such as kidney diseases, heart conditions, liver diseases, thyroid disorders, Parkinson’s disease, suicidal thoughts, epilepsy, diabetes…etc might become worse due to the use of Risperidone and would require dose adjustments or close monitoring as and when required. Finally, Risperidone should not be used in persons whom have shown allergic reactions to this drug as well.

What are the possible side effects of this drug?

Less serious side effects : Among the common and rather mild side effects with Risperidone, dry mouth, nausea, constipation, dizziness, poor sleep, reduced urine output, headache, weight gain, blurring of vision, drowsiness, restlessness, impotence and reduced sex drive can be named as topping the list. These manifestations would most likely to be short term and transient although a persisting side effect should warrant seeking medical advice without a delay.

Serious side effects : Fast and irregular heartbeat, muscle pain and stiffness, tremors, involuntary movements of the muscles in eyes, tongue, jaw and neck, flu like symptom, development of oral ulcers or white patches inside the mouth, confusion, sweating…etc should be considered some of the serious side effects and prompt actions should be taken to obtain advice from a health care professional and make the necessary arrangements to relieve their symptoms.

Allergic reactions : As with many other drugs, allergic reactions would also be possible with Risperidone and these can include, appearance of hives, itching of the body, swelling of the lips, face, tongue and the throat, breathing difficulties…etc and if present, one should be given urgent medical attention as to prevent such manifestations from further progressing into a anaphylactic shock state.

Lastly, it should be declared that, although comprehensive, this article would not act as a substitute for the manufacturer literature which should state all the side effects possible with Risperidone and the readers are urged to refer to this literature in order to gain more informative and accurate knowledge.

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