RISPERDAL® CONSTA® (risperidone) Long Acting Injection

About Schizophrenia
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About Schizophrenia

What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic mental illness described by the American Psychiatric Association as "one of the most debilitating and baffling mental illnesses known." Schizophrenia impairs a person’s thinking, judgment, interpretation of the world around them and ability to function in society. As a result of their inability to correctly interpret the world around them, people with schizophrenia may react inappropriately. They can feel frightened, nervous and confused.

While most people with schizophrenia are not violent to others, they are likely to hurt themselves. Suicide is common amongst people with schizophrenia. If someone attempts suicide or talks about it, you should contact a doctor immediately.

For more information on schizophrenia, please visit the National Mental Health Association Web site at http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/51.cfm

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RISPERDAL® CONSTA® (risperidone) is used for the treatment of schizophrenia.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR RISPERDAL® CONSTA®

Elderly Patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo. RISPERDAL® CONSTA® (risperidone) is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.

In a study of people taking RISPERDAL® CONSTA®, the most common side effects in the treatment of schizophrenia were sleepiness, restlessness, tremors and muscle stiffness, stomach upset, constipation, dry mouth, feeling tired, and weight increase.

High blood sugar and diabetes have been reported with RISPERDAL® CONSTA® and similar medications. If the person being treated has diabetes or risk factors such as being overweight or a family history of diabetes, blood sugar testing should be performed at the beginning and throughout treatment with RISPERDAL® CONSTA®. Complications of diabetes can be serious and even life threatening. If signs of high blood sugar or diabetes develop, such as being thirsty all the time, going to the bathroom a lot, or feeling weak or hungry, contact your doctor.

Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is a serious, sometimes permanent side effect reported with RISPERDAL® CONSTA® and similar medications. TD includes uncontrollable movements of the face, tongue, and other parts of the body. The risk of developing TD and the chance that it will become permanent is thought to increase with the length of therapy and the overall dose taken by the patient. This condition can develop after a brief period of therapy at low doses, although this is much less common. There is no known treatment for TD, but it may go away partially or completely if therapy is stopped.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) is a rare and potentially fatal side effect reported with RISPERDAL® CONSTA® and similar medicines. Call your doctor immediately if the person being treated develops symptoms such as high fever; stiff muscles; shaking; confusion; sweating; changes in pulse, heart rate, or blood pressure; or muscle pain and weakness. Treatment should be stopped if the person being treated has NMS.

RISPERDAL® CONSTA® should be used cautiously in people with a seizure disorder, who have had seizures in the past, or who have conditions that increase their risk for seizures.

RISPERDAL® CONSTA® and similar medications can raise the blood levels of a hormone known as prolactin, causing a condition known as hyperprolactinemia. Blood levels of prolactin remain elevated with continued use. Some side effects seen with these medications include the absence of a menstrual period; breasts producing milk; the development of breasts by males; and the inability to achieve an erection. The connection between prolactin levels and side effects is unknown.

Some people taking RISPERDAL® CONSTA® may feel faint or lightheaded when they stand up or sit up too quickly. By standing up or sitting up slowly and following your healthcare professional’s dosing instructions, this side effect can be reduced or it may go away over time.

Inform your healthcare professional if you become pregnant or intend to become pregnant during therapy with RISPERDAL® CONSTA®. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you are planning to breast-feed.

RISPERDAL® CONSTA® may affect your alertness or driving ability; therefore, do not drive or operate machinery before talking to your healthcare professional.

Some medications interact with RISPERDAL® CONSTA®. Please inform your healthcare professional of any medications or supplements that you are taking. Avoid alcohol while on RISPERDAL® CONSTA®.

If you have any questions about RISPERDAL® CONSTA® or your therapy, talk with your doctor.

For more information, read the Important Product Information by clicking here.

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This page was last updated on: Jan 18 2008 at 13:43:11 EST