Blood tests on tablets

[phil06]

My doctor insists on giving me blood tests on risperidone does anybody elss get them? My previous doctor never wanted them and I thought it was only lithium you had to do blood tests for?

[panic_down_under]

My doctor insists on giving me blood tests on risperidone does anybody elss get them? My previous doctor never wanted them and I thought it was only lithium you had to do blood tests for?

Your current doctor is following the makers recommendations:

Any patient treated with atypical antipsychotics, including Risperdal®, should be monitored for symptoms of hyperglycemia including polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and weakness. Patients who develop symptoms of hyperglycemia during treatment with atypical antipsychotics, including Risperdal®, should undergo fasting blood glucose testing.

And from the consumer product information:

Lab tests, including fasting blood glucose and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Risperdal. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

My understanding is the NICE guideline calls for even more testing, by I'm geoblocked from reading it. However, page 4 of this NHS/Royal College of Psychiatrists pamphlet (PDF) sets out the tests that should be done and why. It has the same recommendation for the other antipsychotics too, for example quetiapine (PDF).