Risperdal – action and side effects of using the drug

RISPERDAL is a drug used in neurology and psychiatry to treat schizophrenic psychosis and psychotic conditions. The preparation acts on the central nervous system and has antipsychotic properties. Risperdal is available as tablets and can only be obtained with a prescription.

Indications for the use of RISPERDAL

1. schizophrenia,
2. moderate to severe manic episodes in bipolar disorder,
3. short-term (up to 6 weeks) persistent aggression in people with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s dementia, for whom non-pharmacological treatment is not effective, and when the patient is at risk of endangering himself or others,
4. short-term symptomatic (up to 6 weeks) of persistent aggression in the course of behavioral disorders in children from 5 years of age and adolescents with intellectual performance below average or mentally retarded, diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria, in whom the severity of aggression and other destructive behaviors requires pharmacological treatment.

Dosage of RISPERDAL

1. Schizophrenia – adults: administer the daily dose once a day or in 1 divided doses. Initially at 2 mg / day, on day 2, the dose can be increased to 2 mg / day. The maintenance dose is usually 4-4 mg / day; some patients benefit from a lower dose and / or a slower dose escalation by the physician. Doses greater than 6 mg / day are not more effective, but may cause extrapyramidal side effects. The safety of doses higher than 10 mg / day has not been studied. In the elderly, initially 16 mg twice / day, the dose may be gradually increased by 0,5 mg twice / day to a dose of 2-0,5 mg twice / day.
2. Treatment of moderate to severe manic episodes in bipolar disorder – adults: initially 2 mg once / day. If necessary, the dose may be increased by 1 mg, not more frequently than every 1 hours. Dose range 24-1 mg / day. In the elderly, initially 6 mg twice / day, if necessary, the dose may be gradually increased by 0,5 mg twice / day to a dose of 2-0,5 mg twice / day.
3. Short-term treatment (up to 6 weeks) of persistent aggression in people with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s dementia, for whom non-pharmacological treatment is ineffective, and when the patient is at risk of endangering himself or others: initially 0,25, 2 mg twice / day, if necessary, increase the dose by 0,25 mg twice / day, not more frequently than every second day. Usually the dose is 2 mg twice / day. Some patients may require doses up to 2 mg twice / day.
4. Short-term symptomatic treatment (up to 6 weeks) of persistent aggression in the course of behavioral disorders in children from 5 years of age and adolescents with intellectual performance below average or mentally retarded, diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria, in whom the severity of aggression and other destructive behaviors requires pharmacological treatment . Pharmacotherapy should be an integral part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes psychosocial and educational activities. It is recommended that risperidone be prescribed by a specialist in pediatric neurology and child and adolescent psychiatry or a physician specialized in the treatment of behavioral disorders in children and adolescents:
5. persons weighing more than 50 kg. Initially 0,5 mg once / day, if necessary, increase the dose by 1 mg / day, not more frequently than every 0,5nd day; maintenance dose usually 2 mg once / day, dose range 1-1 mg once / day;
6. persons up to 50 kg. Initially, 0,25 mg once / day, if necessary, the dose may be increased by 1 mg / day, not more frequently than every 0,25nd day; maintenance dose, usually 2 mg once / day, dose range 0,5-1 mg once / day.
7. persons weighing more than 50 kg. Initially 0,5 mg once / day, if necessary, increase the dose by 1 mg / day, not more frequently than every 0,5nd day; maintenance dose usually 2 mg once / day, dose range 1-1 mg once / day;
8. persons up to 50 kg. Initially, 0,25 mg once / day, if necessary, the dose may be increased by 1 mg / day, not more frequently than every 0,25nd day; maintenance dose, usually 2 mg once / day, dose range 0,5-1 mg once / day.

Risperdal, contraindications and warnings

1. Hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation is a contraindication to the use of RISPERDAL.
2. RISPERDAL should be taken orally with or without food.
3. If you have liver or kidney problems, your doctor will likely reduce your dose by half, and the increase will be slower.