What is Risperdal®? by Michael Monheit, Esquire, Monheit Law, PC

What is Risperdal?

How is Risperdal® different than other drugs?

How long does it take for Risperdal® to start working?

How long do I need to take Risperdal®?

Will Risperdal® improve how I feel?

What are the typical side effects of Risperdal®?

What other side effects exist?

Studies on the safety of Risperdal®

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What is Risperdal?

RISPERDAL®, generically known as risperidone, is an FDA approved medication for treatment of bipolar I disorder and is also approved or to treat acute to manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. It is approved for use as therapy alone or in combination with drugs called mood stabilizers, such as lithium or valproate. Risperdal is also approved for bipolar mania.

The drug was released in 1994 and is prescribed worldwide. It is one of a family of “atypical antipsychotic medications” used to treat schizophrenia and psychotic disorders. Risperdal® improves schizophrenia's positive symptoms (e.g., visual and auditory hallucinations, delusions, and thought disturbances) and may also help treat the illness’ negative symptoms (e.g., social withdrawal, apathy, lack of motivation, and inability to experience pleasure).

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How does Risperdal® work?

In order to treat chemical imbalances associated with bipolar mania, dopamine and serotonin levels are controlled using the drug. While the specific details of how Risperdal® does this are not known, testing shows that Risperdal® adjusts the balance of dopamine and serotonin thereby reducing the bipolar mania. It is important to note that the Risperdal® does not cure, but only helps to control the mania.

Risperdal®, like some other atypical antipsychotics, is designed as a serotonin/dopamine antagonist. Apparently, Risperdal blocks the serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitter chemicals in the brains.

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How is Risperdal® different than other drugs?

Conventional antipsychotics seem to primarily affect only dopamine. Risperdal® affects both. Antipsychotics such as Haldol, Stelazine, and Prolixin have treated symptoms in many patients. However, these drugs do not satisfactorily affect the negative (depressive) symptoms, Risperdal® has been shown to be as effective as the conventional medications in treating positive symptoms.

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How long does it take for Risperdal® to start working?

Improvement of symptoms may be noticed in some patients relatively quickly. It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for a patient taking Risperdal® to see benefits. Therefore, usually doctors inform their patients to not expect immediate results, but to give the drug time to take full effect. Some adjustments may be necessary to reach the optimal dose for each patient.

Typically, a patient will take Risperdal® for a trial period of at least four to six weeks at the optimal dose before evaluating its effectiveness. It is now known that lower doses (3 or 4 mg/day) are often effective with lower risk for side effects.

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How long do I need to take Risperdal®?

You should take Risperdal as indicated by your doctor. Do not self regulate. Rather, take this drug as prescribed. The FDA has approved Risperdal as safe and effective. It could be dangerous to stop taking medicines, especially abruptly. Patients should talk with their physicians to decide whether the benefits and risks of taking Risperdal® make the product the right choice. Therefore, keep on taking Risperdal® as prescribed by your healthcare professional.

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Will Risperdal® improve how I feel?

Risperdal® showed a large improvement for those taking it, compared to those taking a placebo – according to the clinical trials.

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BIO:

Risperdal-Help.org is a site designed to provide parents of children with Gynecomastia and other side effects from Risperdal with resources that help them make informed decisions.

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