Risperdal (Risperidone) is an antipsychotic medication used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia, irritability associated with autistic disorder and the manic symptoms of bipolar disorder. Risperdal works by restoring the balance of chemicals in the brain. Risperdal must be prescribed by a doctor and taken exactly as prescribed. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) notes that Risperdal treats the symptoms of certain mental health disorders but does not cure them. It can take several weeks before you feel the full effect of Risperdal, so keep taking the medication as prescribed, but be aware of its side effects.
Common Side Effects
RxList.com reports that Risperdal is linked with many side effects. Common side effects of include dizziness, drowsiness, weight gain, fatigue and breast milk production. Digestive issues such as increased appetite, diarrhea, heartburn, increased saliva, nausea and constipation have also been reported. Sexual side effects can also occur. NLM notes that Risperdal is also associated with dreaming more than usual, difficulty falling or staying asleep, and agitation or restlessness. If any of these symptoms cause persistent discomfort or seem to be extreme, seek medical advice.
Serious Side Effects
Rxlist.com recommends seeking immediate medical attention if any of the following rare but serious side effects occur. These serious side effects include chest pain, slurred speech, confusion, lumps in the breasts, change in amount of urine output, weakness on one side of the body, numbness in the extremities or face, or vision changes.
Tardive Dyskinesia
RxList.com notes that a syndrome that can result from taking a drug like Risperdal is tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD is manifested as an inability to control voluntary movements. Movements of people with TD tend to be spasmodic, repetitive, or without coordination. Mayo Clinic reports that people with TD may also exhibit worm-like movements of the tongue and strange movements of the cheeks or jaw. It is potentially irreversible and tends to be most prominent among elderly people (particularly elderly women) taking antipsychotic medication.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
NMS is a rare but potentially fatal side effect of taking antipsychotic medication. RxList.com reports that signs of NMS include extremely high fever, stiff or rigid muscles, confusion or changes in mood, irregular pulse or blood pressure, increased sweating or perspiration, or kidney failure. If you think you may have any of these symptoms, contact medical personnel immediately.
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