Risperdal

[theresa]

I've been taking this antipsychotic for about a month and it seems to be helping me, more so than any of the anti-depressants I've tried. At first I was so grateful for something that helped ease my general anxiety, but now I'm getting anxious :) as I don't know anything about it and worrying about what might happen when I try to come off it. A side effect is feeling zonked out when I wake up and 'glued' to the bed though this is also how I felt when I first started with depression and before anxiety got a hold. Psychiatrist said I could try taking them daytime insteassd of at night but not tried this yet. Anyone know anything about antipsychotics - whether addictive, like tranquillizers?

Theresa

[twister]

Hi Theresa

This is what is on Net Doctor for Risperadal. I looked on some other internet sites and it seems it is sometimes used in the short term treatment of acute anxiety, but I couldnt find anything about the long term treatment of it and it is not licensed specifically for this.


[quote]quote:Risperdal


Main Use Active Ingredient Manufacturer
Schizophrenia
Risperidone Janssen-Cilag


How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient risperidone, which is a type of medicine known as an atypical antipsychotic.

Risperidone works by blocking various receptors in the brain, particularly dopamine receptors. Dopamine is a natural compound called a neurotransmitter, which is involved in transmitting signals between brain cells. Psychotic illness is considered to be caused by overactivity of dopamine in the brain.

Risperidone blocks the receptors that dopamine acts on, and this prevents the overactivity of dopamine in the brain. This helps to control psychotic illness.

Risperidone is used to treat the psychotic condition schizophrenia. Schizophrenic patients may experience 'positive symptoms' (such as hallucinations, disturbances of thought, hostility) and/or 'negative symptoms' (such as lack of emotion and social isolation).

Risperidone is effective in relieving both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, whereas the conventional antipsychotics are usually less effective against the negative symptoms. Risperidone also relieves 'affective symptoms' that are associated with schizophrenia, such as depression, guilt feelings or anxiety.

Risperidone is also used by specialists to treat episodes of mania in people with the psychiatric illness, bipolar affective disorder (manic depression), though this is an unlicensed use of the medicine.



What is it used for?

Psychotic illness
Schizophrenia
Treatment of acute manic episodes in bipolar affective disorder (unlicensed use)

Warning!


This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Alcohol should be avoided.
You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Consult your doctor immediately if you experience abnormal movements, particularly of the face, lips, jaw and tongue, while taking this medicine. These symptoms may be indicative of a rare side effect known as tardive dyskinesia, and your doctor may ask you to stop taking this medicine, or decrease your dose.
Consult your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms while taking this medicine: high fever, sweating, muscle stiffness, faster breathing and drowsiness or sleepiness. These symptoms may be due to a rare side effect known as the neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and your treatment may need to be stopped.
This medicine can cause some people to put on weight. Talk to your doctor about this before you start treatment so that you can discuss strategies, such as diet and exercise, for minimising any weight gain.
Risperdal Quicklets should be placed in the mouth where they rapidly dissolve in your saliva for easy swallowing. The Quicklets are fragile and should not be pushed through the foil as this will damage them. Open the blister by pulling up the edge of the foil and peeling it off, then tip the tablet out. The Quicklet should be taken as soon as you have opened the blister as it cannot be stored once removed.
Follow the instructions that are supplied with Risperdal liquid for measuring a dose carefully. Risperdal liquid may be diluted with mineral water, orange juice or black coffee. When diluted in this way, the product should be used immediately. Risperdal liquid should not be mixed with tea.

Use with caution in

Diabetes
Disease involving the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease)
Elderly people
Epilepsy
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Parkinson's disease

Not to be used in

Breastfeeding
This medicine should n

[theresa]

Emily - thanx for the info. I'm taking a much lower dose than is usually prescribed for schizophrenia. I'm not sure that it is helping me much any more - I seemed to have slipped back again this week! Ho hum. I guess that's the way it goes.

Theresa