Interactions
Risperidone may interact with many other drugs. Therefore, special attention should be paid to which drugs can be combined with Risperidone. The combination of risperidone with diuretic drugs is considered particularly risky in elderly patients.
In such cases, an increased incidence of strokes and increased mortality has been observed. If antidepressants or beta-blockers (antihypertensive drugs) are used at the same time as risperidone, the effect of these drugs can be mutually reinforcing. Alcohol, sedatives and anaesthetics also show an increased effect under Risperidone therapy.
Some sedatives (e.g. barbiturates) accelerate the breakdown of risperidone. This reduces its effectiveness. If Risperidone is taken in parallel with therapy of Parkinson’s disease with dopamine agonists (dopamine-enhancing drugs), its effect is also reduced.
If Risperidone is missed, the patient should continue to take it normally at the next usual time. If too much Risperidone is taken, consult a physician immediately, as it may cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia or seizures. If therapy with Risperidone is to be discontinued, it is recommended that the medication be discontinued, i.e. the dose be reduced slowly over a longer period of time.If Risperidone is discontinued abruptly, side effects occur more frequently, such as nausea and vomiting, sleep disorders, restlessness and increased sweating. A recurrence of the psychotic symptoms cannot be ruled out either.
