Have you or someone you know been prescribed a medication called Risperidone by a doctor? You may be a little apprehensive and curious about this medication. You may have many questions like, "What is this for?", "What will happen to it?" So don't be afraid. Today, we'll talk about all of this in a very simple and friendly way.
What kind of medicine is this? Why is this being given?
Simply put, Risperidone is a medication that is used to treat a number of mental health conditions. The medical name for it is an 'antipsychotic' medication. But don't let that name fool you, it's used to treat a wide range of mental illnesses.
This medicine is mainly used for:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar Disorder
- Treat conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Think of our brain as a big city with a lot of traffic. There are messengers in this city to carry messages back and forth. These messengers in our brain are chemicals we call dopamine and serotonin . These are very important in controlling our mood, behavior, and thoughts. In some mental conditions, these messengers become out of balance. At that time, the drug risperidone works by rebalancing these dopamine and serotonin levels and helping the brain function normally.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
It is very important that your doctor knows your complete health history before prescribing this medicine to you. This medicine may interact with some medical conditions. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Your health condition | Why should you inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Dementia is a disease that causes gradual loss of memory. | These patients may experience more side effects from the medication. |
| Diabetes | The medicine may cause blood sugar levels to rise. |
| A history of heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or irregular heartbeat. | The drug can affect heart function. |
| Having a stroke. | The doctor should be aware because the risk of stroke may increase. |
| Liver or kidney disease. | The dosage may need to be changed because it affects the elimination of the medication from the body. |
| Seizures or Parkinson's disease. | These symptoms may worsen or interfere with the effectiveness of the medication. |
| A history of breast cancer or high levels of the hormone prolactin. | Medication can further increase the level of this hormone. |
| Difficulty swallowing. | Because you have to be careful when swallowing the medicine. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. | Medical advice is essential as it may affect the baby. |
| Allergies to other medicines, foods or dyes. | To check for the possibility of an allergy to risperidone. |
How should I use the medicine?
This is very simple.
- Swallow the pill with a glass of water.
- Try to take your medicine at the same time every day . That way, you won't forget, and it's good for your body.
- You can take it before or after meals. If you experience stomach upset, take it with food.
- Most importantly: Do not stop taking the medication unless your doctor tells you to. Even if you think your symptoms have subsided, stopping it suddenly can have serious consequences.
What if I forget to take my medication?
We forget things. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose (e.g., within a few hours), skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you have even the slightest suspicion that you have taken too much medicine, do not ignore it. Immediately go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
This medicine is for you only. It has been prescribed by a doctor based on your medical condition. Therefore, do not give this to anyone else for any reason.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
It is very important to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies you are taking, as some medications can interact with risperidone.
In particular, avoid taking risperidone if you are taking the following medications:
- Cisapride
- Dronedarone
- Metoclopramide
- Pimozide
- Thioridazine
In addition, you should be very careful when taking this medicine with alcohol, allergy medications (antihistamines), medications for depression or sleep, medications for high blood pressure, and medications for Parkinson's disease. These can increase the side effects of the medicine (drowsiness, dizziness).
Things to consider when taking medication
Dizziness and drowsiness
You may feel drowsy or dizzy when you first start taking this medicine. Therefore, avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Especially if you are elderly, do not get up from a sitting position or get out of bed suddenly. Get up slowly. Otherwise, you may feel dizzy and fall.
Body temperature control
This is a little special. Risperidone can have a small effect on our body's ability to regulate temperature.
- Extreme heat: Don't stay in the sun for too long. Sweating can reduce your ability to cool your body. Drink plenty of water. Wear light clothing.
- Extreme cold: When you are in an extremely cold environment, your body's ability to feel cold is reduced, and your body temperature can drop significantly without you realizing it. Therefore, if you are going out on cold days, dress warmly.
Possible side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, risperidone can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Some are minor, while others are more serious. The important thing is to be aware of them.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Things to report to your doctor immediately | |
| Severe allergy | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome | High fever, muscle stiffness, excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat, and confusion. |
| Stroke symptoms | Sudden numbness/weakness on one side of the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, severe headache. |
| Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) | Uncontrollable body movements, tremors, muscle stiffness, restlessness, dragging feet when walking. |
| High blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) | Unusual thirst, frequent urination, extreme fatigue, blurred vision. |
| Increased prolactin levels | Irregular menstrual cycles in women, breast development in men, and a milky discharge. |
| If it persists or is bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Minor side effects | Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, stomach upset, nasal congestion, weight gain. |
Take-Home Message
- Risperidone is an important medication that helps balance brain chemicals and manage various mental health conditions.
- Never stop taking this medicine suddenly without medical advice. Doing so may cause your symptoms to return and become more severe.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any other illnesses you have.
- Be aware of side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, changes in body temperature regulation, and increased blood sugar levels.
- If you develop severe symptoms such as high fever, muscle stiffness, or difficulty speaking, call your doctor immediately or go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else.
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