Common and Rare Side Effects of Risperidone

Risperidone is often prescribed by the doctors to treat symptoms of schizophrenia in teenagers and adults. It is also used to treat bipolar disorder. Risperidone is the generic version of Risperdal and was first approved by the FDA in 1993. Risperidone is known to treat the disorders as mentioned, it is not free from side effects. Though Risperidone side effects are mostly controllable, there are many which are serious and in rare cases, life-threatening.

Common side effects

There can be several reasons why Risperidone is prone to causing side-effects. Since the drug has antihistaminic properties, it may have a sedating effect in some people. It also acts as an alpha-adrenergic blocker, meaning that it interferes with certain hormones that regulate blood flow and blood pressure. Risperdal also has anticholinergic effects that can alter how smooth muscles (those that make up the internal organs) function.

Because of these properties, Risperdal may cause the following common side effects:

•    Agitation
•    Amenorrhea (absent period)
•    Anxiety
•    Arthralgia (joint pain)
•    Asthenia (physical weakness and lack of energy)
•    Blurred vision
•    Constipation
•    Cough
•    Diarrhea
•    Epistaxis (nosebleeds)
•    Dizziness
•    Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
•    Excessive salivation
•    Fatigue
•    Galactorrhea (milky breast discharge)
•    Gynecomastia (male breast enlargement)
•    Hirsutism (abnormal hair growth in women)
•    Increased appetite
•    Indigestion
•    Myalgia (muscle pain)
•    Nausea and vomiting
•    Nasal congestion
•    Painful intercourse in women
•    Rash
•    Retrograde ejaculation (ejaculation of semen into the bladder rather than out of the body)
•    Seborrhea (a scaly, patchy skin condition)
•    Somnolence (sleepiness or drowsiness)
•    Sore throat
•    Sleep disturbances
•    Suicidal thoughts
•    Weight gain
•    Upper abdominal pain
•    Upper respiratory tract infection
•    Urinary incontinence
•    Xerostomia (dry mouth)

Extrapyramidal Side Effects

Extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) are those that affect the central nervous system and cause movement problems. Tardive dyskinesia is among the most common EPS experienced by Risperdal users. It is characterized by involuntary and repetitive movements, including those of the face, mouth, tongue, arms, or legs.

EPS include:

•    Akasthisia (a feeling of inner restlessness and inability to stay still, often referred to as the "rabbit syndrome")
•    Akinesia (loss or impairment of voluntary movement)
•    Dystonic reactions (intermittent and involuntary contractions of the muscles of the face, neck, trunk, pelvis, and extremities)
•    Parkinsonism (a group of neurological disorders that cause movement problems similar to Parkinson's disease, including tremors, slow movement, and stiffness)

Serious Side Effects

Exposure to the drug on rare cases might result in potentially life-threatening reaction, which is known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Condition includes:

•    Altered mental state
•    High fever (over 100.4 F)
•    Loss of bladder control
•    Muscle rigidity
•    Profuse sweating
•    Respiratory problem
•    Seizures
•    Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)

Other Complications

There are few more complications, which are rare but potentially life-threatening. These happen due to overuse or long-term use of the drug.

Complications include

•    Diabetic ketoacidosis (a dangerous build-up of acids in the blood)
•    Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
•    Pulmonary embolism (the formation of a blood clot in the lungs)
•    Stroke
•    Sudden cardiac death

Though there is no such addiction of the drug, a withdrawal symptom might occur if it is discontinued for intake. Risperidone side effects are many and can affect patients adversely with mild as well as severe complications, often leading to make them file a lawsuit for their injuries and sufferings.