Risperidone tablets
What do risperidone tablets do?
RISPERIDONE (Risperdal(R)) helps to treat schizophrenia. Risperidone can help you to keep in touch with reality and reduce your mental problems. It is for patients that have not been helped by other medicines.
What should my health care professional know before I take risperidone?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• frequently drink alcohol or alcohol-containing beverages
• blood disorder or disease
• difficulty swallowing
• history of brain tumor or breast cancer
• heart, kidney, or liver disease
• history of head injury
• irregular heartbeat
• low blood pressure
• Parkinson's disease
• previous heart attack
• seizures (convulsions)
• an unusual or allergic reaction to risperidone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take risperidone tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. If risperidone upsets your stomach you can take it with food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What other medicines can interact with risperidone?
• alcohol
• astemizole
• bromocriptine
• carbamazepine
• cimetidine
• cisapride
• erythromycin
• levodopa and other medications for Parkinson's disease
• medicines for high blood pressure
• medicines for irregular heartbeats
• other medicines for mental depression and psychotic disturbances
• phenobarbital
• ritonavir
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking risperidone?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• aching muscles and joints
• changes in vision
• confusion
• fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• fainting spells
• inner restlessness, unable to keep still
• loss of balance or difficulty walking
• stiffness, spasms, trembling
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• constipation
• decreased sexual ability
• difficulty sleeping
• drowsiness or dizziness
• headache
• increase or decrease in saliva
• increased sensitivity to the sun
• menstrual irregularity
• nausea, vomiting
• stomach pain
• stuffy or runny nose, cough
• unusual tiredness
• weight gain