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Risperdal |
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What is Risperdal and why is it prescribed? Risperdal is prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia. Risperdal is thought to work by muting the impact of dopamine and serotonin, two of the brain's key chemical messengers. Risperdal may cause tardive dyskinesia, a condition that causes involuntary muscle spasms and twitches in the face and body. This condition can become permanent and is most common among older people, especially women. Tell your doctor immediately if you begin to have any involuntary movement. You may need to discontinue Risperdal therapy. How should you take Risperdal? Follow your doctors directions for taking Risperdal. Do not take more or less of Risperdal than prescribed. Higher doses are more likely to cause unwanted side effects. Risperdal may be taken with or without food. Risperdal oral solution comes with a calibrated pipette to use for measuring. The oral solution can be taken with water, coffee, orange juice, and low-fat milk, but not with cola drinks or tea. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once. Store Risperdal at room temperature. Protect tablets from light and moisture; protect oral solution from light and freezing. Are there any Risperdal side effects? Risperdal side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Risperdal side effects may include abdominal pain, abnormal walk, agitation, aggression, anxiety, chest pain, constipation, coughing, decreased activity, diarrhea, difficulty with orgasm, diminished sexual desire, dizziness, dry skin, erection and ejaculation problems, excessive menstrual bleeding, fever, headache, inability to sleep, increased dreaming, increased duration of sleep, indigestion, involuntary movements, joint pain, lack of coordination, nasal inflammation, nausea, overactivity, rapid heartbeat, rash, reduced salivation, respiratory infection, sleepiness, sore throat, tremor, underactive reflexes, urination problems, vomiting, and weight gain. Less common Risperdal side effects may include abnormal vision, back pain, dandruff, difficult or labored breathing, increased saliva, sinus inflammation, and toothache. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Risperdal? If Risperdal is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Risperdal with Blood pressure medicines (such as Aldomet, Procardia, and Vasotec), Bromocriptine mesylate (Parlodel), Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Clozapine (Clozaril), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Levodopa (Sinemet, Larodopa), or Quinidine (Quinidex). Risperdal tends to increase the effect of blood pressure medicines. You may experience drowsiness and other potentially serious effects if Risperdal is combined with alcohol and other drugs that slow the central nervous system such as Valium, Percocet, Demerol, or Haldol. Check with your doctor before taking any new medications. Are there any special warnings about Risperdal? You should use Risperdal cautiously if you have kidney, liver, or heart disease, seizures, breast cancer, thyroid disorders, or any other diseases that affect the metabolism. Use caution, too, if you've had a stroke or mini-strokes, suffer from fluid loss or dehydration, or expect to be exposed to extremes of temperature. Be aware that Risperdal may mask signs and symptoms of drug overdose and of conditions such as intestinal obstruction, brain tumor, and Reye's syndrome. Risperdal can also cause difficulty when swallowing, which in turn can cause a type of pneumonia. Risperdal may cause Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), a condition marked by muscle stiffness or rigidity, fast heartbeat or irregular pulse, increased sweating, high fever, and high or low blood pressure. Unchecked, this condition can prove fatal. Call your doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. Risperdal therapy should be discontinued. This drug may impair your ability to drive a car or operate potentially dangerous machinery. Do not participate in any activities that require full alertness if you are unsure of your ability. Risperdal can cause orthostatic hypotension, with dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and fainting, especially when you first start to take it. If you develop this problem, report it to your doctor. He can adjust your dose to reduce the symptoms. |
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Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor. |
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