Application for special patient groups
Children and adolescents with schizophrenia or mania should not be treated with risperidone until the age of 18. For behavioral disorders Risperidone can be used from the age of 5 years, but only in very low dosage (0.5mg), which may be increased slowly and in small steps. Prior to this, other causes for the disturbed behavior of the child must be excluded.
Special caution is required in older patients taking Risperidone. In the presence of dementia, Risperidone therapy increases the risk of stroke. If the dementia has already been caused by a previous stroke, Risperidone should not be used.
In general, Risperidone is dosed lower in older patients than in younger patients because the metabolism of the drug is slower in old age. The usual dose ranges from 0.5-2 mg Risperidone daily. Risperidone should not be used during pregnancy and lactation. In cases where therapy with Risperidone appears to be absolutely necessary, the treating physician can decide whether the drug can be taken safely. Women who took Risperidone in the last three months of pregnancy have sometimes experienced side effects such as breathing difficulties, muscle tremors, restlessness and problems with breastfeeding.
Roadworthiness under risperidone
Risperidone can cause fatigue, dizziness and visual disturbances. The ability to participate in road traffic and to operate machines should be clarified with the attending physician.
Side effects
The most common side effect (more than 1 in 10 people treated) of risperidone is called Parkinsonism. In this condition, individuals develop symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease. For example, they may have difficulty walking (small, tripping steps, stiffness of the muscles, increased saliva secretion and slowed, difficult movements.
Headaches and sleeping disorders occur just as frequently. Frequently (more than 1 in 100 people treated), weight gain, increase in the hormone prolactin in the blood, dizziness, anxiety and gastrointestinal complaints (nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea) can occur. Furthermore, the occurrence of drowsiness, sexual dysfunction and circulatory regulation weakness has been observed.
Further side effects of Risperidone are listed in the package insert of the drug. There are many side effects associated with Risperidone therapy, which occur more frequently in the early stages of treatment and lead to many patients preferring to stop taking the drug directly. It should be noted that the side effects may decrease after getting used to the drug. Nevertheless, the treating physician should closely observe any side effects that occur and decide whether further treatment with Risperidone is indicated.
