Risperdal Consta Medication Guide

Risperdal Consta (Risperidone)

Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information

Prescription Required

Quick Facts

Generic Name
risperidone
Drug Class
antipsychotic agent
Used For
schizophrenia, psychoses, and bipolar disorder
How Taken
injection given by healthcare professional every two weeks

What Is Risperdal Consta Used For?

Risperdal Consta is a long-acting injection that contains risperidone, an antipsychotic medication designed to treat serious mental health conditions.

Primary Uses

Risperdal Consta is used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia and other related psychoses (disorders affecting thought, feeling, and behavior). It’s also used to treat bipolar disorder by preventing or delaying mood swings that alternate between manic episodes (feeling very excited, elated, agitated, or hyperactive with poor judgment) and depressive episodes (experiencing sadness, low energy, lack of motivation, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, and changes in sleep or appetite).

How It Works

Risperdal Consta helps correct a chemical imbalance in the brain that is associated with these mental health conditions.

Good to know: This is a long-acting injection that gradually releases medication in your body, so you only need an injection every two weeks instead of taking daily pills.

How to Take Risperdal Consta

Risperdal Consta is given as an injection by a healthcare professional and cannot be self-administered at home.

Dosage Instructions

The usual dose is 25mg given as an injection once every two weeks. Your doctor will determine the right dose for you. The injection is given in your arm or buttock, alternating sides each time. During the first three weeks of treatment, you’ll also need to take oral risperidone tablets or liquid because the injection takes time to start working. For patients with kidney or liver problems, treatment typically starts with 0.5mg twice daily oral risperidone in the first week, then 1mg twice daily or 2mg once daily in the second week before starting injections.

What If You Miss an Appointment?

It’s very important to keep all your appointments and get your injection on time. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you think you’re going to miss or have missed your appointment.

Important: Never miss an injection or stop treatment without consulting your doctor first. The injection must be given by a healthcare professional – it cannot be given intravenously.

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

  • Difficulty thinking, working, or carrying out daily activities
  • Headache, trembling, muscle weakness, unsteadiness
  • Drowsiness, sleeplessness, difficulty concentrating
  • Nightmares, difficulty speaking, blurred vision
  • Fainting, dizziness, swelling or pain at injection site
  • Body pain (tooth, back, ear, mouth, throat, hands, feet)
  • Muscle and joint changes (shaking, fatigue, restlessness, spasms, stiffness)
  • Behavioral changes (irritability, agitation, anxiety, depression)
  • Cold or flu-like symptoms, indigestion, nausea, vomiting
  • Dry mouth, excessive thirst, acne, dry skin, swelling
  • Weight changes, urination problems, breast abnormalities
  • Menstrual irregularities, sexual dysfunction, appetite changes
  • Fast heart rate, shortness of breath, light sensitivity, rash

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

  • Serious allergic reactions (rash, hives, difficulty breathing, swelling)
  • Heart or blood pressure problems (fainting, persistent dizziness, irregular heart rate)
  • Lung problems (sudden shortness of breath, wheezing, gasping)
  • High blood sugar or diabetes symptoms (unusual thirst, tiredness, frequent urination)
  • Body temperature changes (fever, high body temperature, excessive sweating)
  • Severe muscle stiffness or fits
  • Involuntary movements of tongue, face, mouth, jaw, arms, legs, or trunk
  • Severe life-threatening rash with blisters and peeling skin (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
  • Mini-strokes (sudden weakness, numbness, slurred speech)

Important Warnings

There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before starting Risperdal Consta.

Who Should Not Take Risperdal Consta

Do not use Risperdal Consta if you are allergic to risperidone or any of the ingredients listed in the medication guide. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have: heart problems (irregular rhythm, electrical abnormalities, high/low blood pressure, previous heart attack/stroke, heart failure), unusual sweating or diarrhea, dehydration or temperature regulation problems, kidney or liver problems, tendency to feel dizzy when standing up, Parkinson’s disease, dementia or Lewy body dementia, diabetes, epilepsy or seizures, continuous/painful erections, involuntary movements or restlessness, suicidal thoughts or past attempts, low blood potassium, breast cancer, pituitary gland cancer, history of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome or Tardive dyskinesia, blood clots (personal or family history), low white blood cell count, or planned eye surgery.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Newborns may experience shaking, muscle stiffness, weakness, sleepiness, agitation, breathing problems, or feeding difficulties if the mother used Risperdal Consta in the last trimester. The medication passes into breast milk, so breastfeeding is not recommended while using this medicine.

Elderly Patients With Dementia: Older people with dementia may be at increased risk of stroke or death when taking Risperdal Consta.

Drug Interactions

Several medications can interact with Risperdal Consta, either increasing or decreasing its effects or causing dangerous side effects.

Important: Some medications can increase or decrease Risperdal Consta levels in your blood, so your doctor may need to adjust your dose when starting or stopping other medications.

  • Alcohol and sedating medications (sleeping tablets, tranquilizers, strong painkillers, certain antihistamines and antidepressants)
  • Parkinson’s disease medications (dopamine agonists like levodopa)
  • Central nervous system stimulants (psychostimulants like methylphenidate)
  • Other antipsychotic medications and phenothiazines
  • Blood pressure medications
  • Heart rhythm medications, malaria drugs, allergy medications, antidepressants, water tablets
  • Furosemide (increased risk of side effects or death in older people)
  • Depression/anxiety medications (fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine)
  • Antifungal medications (itraconazole, ketoconazole)
  • HIV/AIDS medications (ritonavir)
  • Heart medications (verapamil)
  • Epilepsy medications (carbamazepine)
  • Antibiotics (rifampicin)

Alcohol & Driving

Risperdal Consta can significantly affect your ability to drive safely and can dangerously increase the effects of alcohol.

Alcohol

Do not drink alcohol while taking Risperdal Consta. The medication can increase alcohol’s effects, making it dangerous to consume any amount of alcohol.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how Risperdal Consta affects you. The medication may cause dizziness or light-headedness, especially after the first dose. If you feel light-headed, dizzy, or faint, be careful when getting up from sitting or lying down – getting up slowly may help.

Temperature Regulation

Be careful during strenuous exercise or exposure to extreme heat. Risperdal Consta may make you sweat less, causing your body to overheat. Try to drink plenty of water and avoid hot environments or vigorous exercise.

Storage

Risperdal Consta will be stored by your doctor or pharmacist. The injection must be kept in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C. If refrigeration is not available, it can be stored in a cool, dry place protected from light where the temperature stays below 25°C for no longer than 7 days.

Overdose Information

Since Risperdal Consta is given under medical supervision, overdose is very unlikely. However, if you experience any concerning side effects after your injection, seek immediate medical attention. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26, New Zealand: 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Signs of overdose may include drowsiness, excessive trembling, severe muscle stiffness, increased heart rate, very low blood pressure causing fainting or unconsciousness.

Frequently Asked Questions

During the first three weeks of treatment, you’ll need additional oral risperidone tablets or liquid because the first injection won’t start working right away. The injection is designed to gradually release medication over two weeks.

No, do not stop treatment just because you feel better. If you need to stop Risperdal Consta, your doctor will advise doing it gradually. Stopping suddenly may cause nausea, vomiting, sweating, sleeplessness, muscle stiffness, jerky movements, or your original condition may return.

No, you should not drink alcohol. Risperdal Consta can increase the effects of alcohol, making it dangerous to consume any amount.

Yes, there is a possibility of weight gain when using Risperdal Consta. Your doctor may monitor your body weight or recommend strategies to help with weight management. You should also avoid excessive eating.

It’s very important to keep all appointments and get your injection on time. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you think you’re going to miss or have missed your appointment.

Older people with dementia may be at increased risk of stroke or death when taking Risperdal Consta. There’s also an increased risk of side effects or death in older people if furosemide is taken together with Risperdal Consta.

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any involuntary movements of the tongue, mouth, cheeks, or jaw which may progress to the arms and legs. These may be symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia, which is more likely in older women during longer treatment but is usually reversible if detected early.

Important Disclaimer

This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.