What Is Risperidone?

Potential Side Effects

The potential side effects of risperidone vary from mild to severe. Some of the most commonly reported side effects include drowsiness, lightheadedness, and dizziness. Patients taking risperidone could also notice drooling, and nausea and fatigue occur frequently. Patients should let their prescribing physician or pharmacist know as soon as possible if these side effects persist or increase in severity. Patients may experience changes in blood chemistry while taking this medication. For example, it could increase blood glucose, which could lead to the development of diabetes or poor blood glucose control in patients who already have diabetes. Patients should watch for possible symptoms of high blood sugar while using risperidone, including increased thirst and increased urination. They might need to check their blood glucose levels more frequently during risperidone treatment. Risperidone may cause an increase in blood cholesterol, and some individuals experience significant weight gain while taking this medicine. Rarely, this medication could cause a condition known as tardive dyskinesia, which involves abnormal, uncontrolled movements, and it typically affects the tongue, mouth, lips, face, arms, or legs. Since these uncontrolled movements could sometimes be permanent, patients should consult their doctor immediately if they notice any movements they cannot control or that are not typical for them. Although very rare, some individuals taking risperidone could experience a side effect called neuroleptic malignant syndrome. This condition causes a high fever, stiff muscles, sweating, rapid breathing, and sleepiness. These symptoms should be reported to a healthcare professional immediately, and it may be necessary to stop taking risperidone. Like other antipsychotic medicines, risperidone could cause issues with temperature regulation in the body. Elderly patients taking risperidone are at the highest risk for this side effect, and it could lead to heat stroke when exposed to hot temperatures or hypothermia when exposed to cold temperatures. Patients should ensure they dress appropriately for the weather and have access to heating and air conditioning. It is especially important to avoid situations where the patient could become overheated, and patients should stay adequately hydrated at all times.

Learn about precautions to remember when taking risperidone next.

Precautions To Remember

Before risperidone is prescribed, patients should let their doctor know about any allergies they have, including allergies to paliperidone. Doctors will also need to know if the patient has a history of seizures, liver or kidney disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia, swallowing difficulties, or a low white blood cell count. Any family or personal history of heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, cataracts, or glaucoma should be mentioned to the physician as well. Patients who have a personal or family history of these conditions may need to take a different medication. Alcohol and marijuana consumption could increase the risk of experiencing dizziness or drowsiness while on this medicine, and patients are advised not to use these while taking risperidone. To reduce the likelihood of falls or fainting, patients should try to get out of bed slowly and rest their feet on the floor for several minutes before moving to a standing position. Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding should discuss the risks and benefits of risperidone with their physician. When used during the last trimester of pregnancy, the medication could lead to constant crying, muscle stiffness, and breathing or feeding difficulties in the newborn; parents should report these to the child's physician immediately.

Learn more about potential medication interactions next.