Risperdal consta (risperidone)

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Weight gain
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Abnormal movements of the hands, legs, face, neck and tongue, eg tremor, twitching, rigidity (extrapyramidal effects)
- Agitation
- Nervousness
- Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
- Apathy
- Concentration difficulties
- Abnormal vision
- Dizziness
- Rash or itching
- Reactions at the injection site
- High blood prolactin level (hyperprolactinaemia) - rarely this may lead to symptoms such as breast enlargement, production of milk and menstrual disturbances
- Sexual problems
- Sleepiness (somnolence)
- Disturbances of the gut such as constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
- Inflammation of the lining of the nose (rhinitis) causing a blocked or runny nose
- High blood glucose level (hyperglycaemia)
- Excessive fluid retention in the body tissues, resulting in swelling (oedema)
- Decreased numbers of white blood cells or platelets in the blood

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while having treatment with this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

There may be an increased risk of drowsiness and sedation if risperidone is used with any of the following (which can also cause drowsiness):

- alcohol
- tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline
- strong opioid painkillers, eg morphine, codeine, dihydrocodeine
- benzodiazepines, eg diazepam, temazepam
- sedating antihistamines, eg chlorphenamine, hydroxyzine
- sleeping tablets, eg zopiclone.

This medicine may enhance the blood pressure-lowering effects of certain medicines used to treat high blood pressure (antihypertensives). If you are taking medicines for high blood pressure you should tell your doctor if you feel dizzy or faint after starting treatment with this medicine, as your blood pressure medicines may need adjusting.

There may be an increased risk of abnormal heart rhythms (prolonged QT interval on the heart monitoring trace or ECG) if risperidone is used with any of the following medicines:

- antiarrhythmics, eg amiodarone, procainamide, disopyramide, sotalol
- antidepressants, eg amitriptyline, imipramine, maprotiline
- the anthistamines astemizole (no longer available in the UK) or terfenadine
- antimalarials, eg halofantrine, chloroquine, quinine
- antipsychotics, eg thioridazine, chlorpromazine, sertindole, haloperidol
- intravenous erythromycin or pentamidine
- cisapride
- atomoxetine.

Risperidone may oppose the effects of levodopa and dopamine agonists used to treat Parkinson's disease.

Carbamazepine may reduce the blood level of risperidone.

Fluoxetine and paroxetine may increase the blood level of risperidone.

The Risperdal consta depot form of risperidone should not be used in combination with clozapine.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

Risperdal

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