What is Risperdal Consta? Uses, warnings & side effects

How to take Risperdal Consta

• 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 or as a shot under your skin (in the abdomen or stomach area only).

• Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine. Perseris„¢ is given once a month. Risperdal Consta® is usually given every 2 weeks.

• If you have never taken risperidone, your doctor will first give you an oral form of this medicine before starting treatment with Perseris„¢ or Risperdal Consta®.

• Avoid rubbing, massaging, or placing belts or waistbands on the injection site.

• Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

• 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 or as a shot under your skin (in the abdomen or stomach area only).

• If you have never taken risperidone, your doctor will first give you an oral form of this medicine before starting treatment with Perseris„¢ or Risperdal Consta®.

• Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

• Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine. Perseris„¢ is given once a month. Risperdal Consta® is usually given every 2 weeks.

• Avoid rubbing, massaging, or placing belts or waistbands on the injection site.

What to do if you miss a dose of Risperdal Consta

Risperdal Consta contraindications - Who shouldn't take Risperdal Consta?

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

Risperdal Consta warnings

• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

• Trouble swallowing

• Swelling of the breasts, breast soreness, nipple discharge (in both women and men)

• Seizures or tremors

• This medicine may change how your body regulates temperature. Avoid activities that could cause you to become very cold, hot, or dehydrated.

• Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children. Some women who use this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).

• 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.

• Painful, prolonged erection of the penis

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bowel blockage, brain tumor, diabetes, high cholesterol, Parkinson disease, Reye's syndrome, 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 strokeNeuroleptic 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 levelsIncreased levels of prolactin hormoneIncreased risk of seizures

• This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, lightheaded, or may cause trouble with thinking or controlling body movements, which may lead to falls, fractures, or other injuries. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Standing up slowly from a sitting or lying position can lessen the chance of getting dizzy.

Risperdal Consta interactions & what to avoid when taking Risperdal Consta

• Some medicines can affect how risperidone works. Tell your doctor if you are using carbamazepine, carbidopa, 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.

• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

• 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.