Risperdal consta (risperidone)

How does it work?

Risperdal consta injection contains the active ingredient risperidone, which is a type of medicine known as an atypical antipsychotic.

Risperidone works in the brain, where it affects various neurotransmitters, in particular dopamine and serotonin (5HT). Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are stored in nerve cells and are involved in transmitting messages between the nerve cells.

Dopamine and serotonin are neurotransmitters known to be involved in regulating mood and behaviour, amongst other things. Psychotic illness is considered to be caused by disturbances in the activity of neurotransmitters (mainly dopamine) in the brain. Schizophrenia is known to be associated with an overactivity of dopamine in the brain, and this may be associated with the delusions and hallucinations that are a feature of this disease.

Risperidone works by blocking the receptors in the brain that dopamine acts on. This prevents the excessive activity of dopamine and helps to control schizophrenia.

Schizophrenic patients may experience 'positive symptoms' (such as hallucinations, disturbances of thought, hostility) and/or 'negative symptoms' (such as lack of emotion and social withdrawal). Risperidone is effective in relieving both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, whereas the conventional antipsychotics are usually less effective against the negative symptoms.

Risperidone also relieves 'affective symptoms' that are associated with schizophrenia, such as depression, guilt feelings or anxiety.

Risperdal consta is a type of injection called a depot injection. It is administered into the muscle of the buttock, where it forms a reservoir of medicine that is slowly released into the bloodstream over a two week period. The injection is given every two weeks into alternate buttocks.

The first injection will not start to take effect for three weeks, because initially it takes time for the risperidone to be released from the injection site. This means that you will need to take risperidone by mouth for the first three weeks after your first injection. Your doctor will explain more.

Treatment with Risperdal consta will not be started until it is known that you can tolerate Risperdal treatment by mouth (tablets or liquid - see the link at the end of this factsheet for more information).

What is it used for?

Psychotic illness such as schizophrenia.

Warning!

This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Alcohol should be avoided.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you should not suddenly stop treatment with this medicine, even if you feel better and think you don't need it any more. This is because the medicine controls the symptoms of the illness but doesn't actually cure it. This means that if you suddenly stop treatment your symptoms could come back. Stopping the medicine suddenly may also rarely cause withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, nausea, vomiting, difficulty sleeping or tremor. When treatment with this medicine is stopped, it should be done gradually, following the instructions given by your doctor.

This medicine can occasionally cause your blood pressure to drop when you move from a lying down or sitting position to sitting or standing, especially when you first start treatment. This may make you feel dizzy or unsteady. To avoid this try getting up slowly. If you do feel dizzy, sit or lie down until the symptoms pass.

This medicine can cause some people to put on weight. Talk to your doctor about this before you start treatment so that you can discuss strategies, such as diet and exercise, for minimising any weight gain.

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any abnormal movements, particularly of the face, lips, jaw and tongue, while having treatment with this medicine. These symptoms may be indicative of a rare side effect known as tardive dyskinesia, and your doctor may need to stop treating you with this medicine, or decrease your dose.

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms while having treatment with this medicine: high fever, sweating, muscle stiffness, faster breathing and drowsiness or sleepiness. These symptoms may be due to a rare side effect known as the neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and your treatment may need to be stopped.

This medicine is not recommended for treating behavioural problems or psychoses associated with dementia, due to an increased risk of stroke in this group of patients.

Use with caution in

Elderly people

Liver disease

Kidney disease

Disease involving the heart and blood vessels

High blood pressure

Irregular heartbeat caused by very rapid contraction of the top two chambers of the heart (atrial fibrillation)

History or risk of stroke or small temporary strokes

Smokers

Diabetes

Epilepsy

Parkinson's disease.

Not to be used in

Children under 18 years of age

Breastfeeding.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been established. It should therefore be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh any possible risks to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk and women taking this medicine should therefore not breastfeed. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.

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