Common and Rare Risperdal Side Effects

Common and Rare Risperdal Side Effects Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Print Common and Rare Side Effects When Taking Risperdal What You Should Know Before Starting Treatment By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial policy Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on March 01, 2015 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on January 06, 2020 Tara Moore Collection/Taxi/Getty Images More in Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Symptoms Diagnosis Risperdal (risperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic drug often prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia, psychotic episodes of bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses. While Risperdal can be effective in treating these disorders, you should be aware of the potential side effects before starting treatment. While many of the side effects are manageable, others may be serious and, in rare cases, life-threatening. Common Side Effects Risperdal can cause side effects for a variety of reasons. Because the drug has antihistaminic properties (similar to older antihistamine drugs), 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 side effects in at least one percent of users: AgitationAmenorrhea (absent period)AnxietyArthralgia (joint pain)Asthenia (physical weakness and lack of energy)Blurred visionConstipationCoughDiarrheaEpistaxis (nosebleeds)DizzinessDyspnea (shortness of breath)Excessive salivationFatigueGalactorrhea (milky breast discharge)Gynecomastia (male breast enlargement)Hirsutism (abnormal hair growth in women)Increased appetiteIndigestionMyalgia (muscle pain)Nausea and vomitingNasal congestionPainful intercourse in womenRashRetrograde ejaculation (ejaculation of semen into the bladder rather than out of the body)Seborrhea (a scaly, patchy skin condition)Somnolence (sleepiness or drowsiness)Sore throatSleep disturbancesSuicidal thoughtsWeight gainUpper abdominal painUpper respiratory tract infectionUrinary incontinenceXerostomia (dry mouth) Extrapyramidal Side Effects Extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) are those that affect the central nervous system and cause movement problems. EPS can affect as many as one of every four people who take Risperdal, although most cases are relatively mild.?? Other than previous history of EPS, there is no way to know in advance whether youll experience extrapyramidal side effects or not. Types of EPS 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. These may include lip-smacking, grimacing, making chewing motions, rocking, rotating the ankles or legs, marching in place, sticking out the tongue, or making repetitive sounds such as humming or grunting. Other types of EPS include: Akathisia (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 Parkinsons disease, including tremors, slow movement, and stiffness) Risk Factors The risk of EPS is largely dose-dependent. Similarly, the type of formulation you take can also influence your risk. By way of example: Oral formulations of Risperdal are associated with a two percent to 12 percent risk of tremors, while intramuscular injections carry a three percent to 24 percent risk of the same.Tardive dyskinesia will affect anywhere from two percent to six percent of Risperdal users, depending on the formulation.Parkinsonism can affect as few as six percent to as many as 28 percent  of users. It is important to advise your doctor if you experience any involuntary muscle movements or have a loss of muscle control while taking Risperdal. If left untreated, conditions like tardive dyskinesia may become permanent. Serious Side Effects On rare occasions, exposure to atypical antipsychotics may result in a potentially life-threatening reaction known as a neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). It is a condition characterized by the following symptoms: Altered mental stateHigh fever (over 100.4 F)Loss of bladder controlMuscle rigidityProfuse sweatingRespiratory problemSeizuresTachycardia (rapid heartbeat) Once symptoms appear, they tend to progress rapidly and can persist for anywhere from eight hours to over a month. For reasons unknown, NMS tends to affect men under 40 more than any other group.?? NMS is considered a medical emergency and can lead to death if left untreated. Treatment would be administered in an intensive care unit, often with mechanical ventilation, intravenous fluids, and a variety of medications used to reduce muscle rigidity, agitation, and other symptoms. Even with treatment, as many as 10 percent of NMS cases will result in death. Other Serious Complications Other rare but potentially life-threatening side effects may occur with Risperdal use. Most are associated with either overuse or long-term use of the drug. They 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)StrokeSudden cardiac death