RISPERDAL® CONSTA® (risperidone) Long Acting Injection

Understanding Schizophrenia
Treatment of Schizophrenia
Importance of Staying on Treatment
RISPERDAL CONSTA: A Different Option
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Psychosocial Treatment, Rehabilitation and Support
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Treatment of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a complex mental illness that requires a comprehensive treatment program, which includes medication, psychosocial counseling and support. With treatment, patients can get control of their symptoms and may lead productive, fulfilling lives.

Antipsychotic medications are the mainstay of schizophrenia treatment.

Conventional or “typical” antipsychotics were introduced in the 1950s. These medications helped to manage the positive symptoms of schizophrenia such as: hearing voices, seeing things that aren't there and disordered thinking. Newer “atypical” antipsychotics were introduced in the early 1990s and they help to manage both the positive and negative symptoms (social withdrawal, emotional unresponsiveness and apathy) of schizophrenia.

          Typical antipsychotics          Atypical antipsychotics
1950's Typical antipsychotics 1990sAtypical antipsychotics

RISPERDAL CONSTA is a long-acting, injectable formulation of the atypical antipsychotic medication RISPERDAL ® (risperidone). RISPERDAL CONSTA helps to manage both the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

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Understanding how antipsychotic medications work

Scientists still aren't certain what causes schizophrenia. It is believed that schizophrenia results from an imbalance of chemicals in the brain called “neurotransmitters”. These “neurotransmitters” are chemicals that carry signals from one brain cell to the next, along pathways that control the way we think and feel. If these pathways become affected by a chemical imbalance, then thoughts and feelings can become impaired.

Antipsychotic medications such as RISPERDAL and RISPERDAL CONSTA are thought to work by getting brain chemicals back in balance to help the person with schizophrenia.

In order to get the best results from their medication, it is important that people stick to their treatment plan.

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Understanding how antipsychotic medications work


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

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR RISPERDAL® AND RISPERDAL® CONSTA®

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

The most common adverse reactions observed in all clinical trials with RISPERDAL® occurring at a rate of at least 10% were somnolence, increased appetite, fatigue, rhinitis, upper respiratory tract infection, vomiting, coughing, urinary incontinence, increased saliva, constipation, fever, tremors, muscle stiffness, abdominal pain, anxiety, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, rash, restlessness, and indigestion.

The most common side effects that occurred with RISPERDAL® CONSTA® were sleepiness, restlessness, tremors and muscle stiffness, stomach upset, constipation, dry mouth, feeling tired, and weight increase.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) is a rare and potentially fatal side effect reported with RISPERDAL, 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.

Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is a serious, sometimes permanent side effect reported with RISPERDAL, 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.

RISPERDAL® and 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, 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.

High blood sugar and diabetes have been reported with RISPERDAL, 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. 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.

Some people taking RISPERDAL® or 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 may be reduced or it may go away over time.

Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) are usually persistent movement disorders or muscle disturbances, such as restlessness, tremors, and muscle stiffness. If you observe any of these symptoms, talk to your healthcare professional.

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

Inform your healthcare professional if you are pregnant or if you are planning to get pregnant while taking RISPERDAL® or RISPERDAL® CONSTA®. Do not breast-feed if you are taking RISPERDAL® or RISPERDAL® CONSTA®.

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

RISPERDAL® and RISPERDAL® CONSTA® may affect alertness and motor skills; use caution until the effect of RISPERDAL® or RISPERDAL® CONSTA® is known.

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

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This page was last updated on: Jan 23 2008 at 17:45:44 EST