Risperdal Side Effects

Bipolar Medications Library

List of Risperdal side effects. Risperdal - generic name Risperidone - is an atypical antipsychotic drug often prescribed for treatment of schizophrenia and the psychotic features of bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses. Patients taking Risperdal or risperidone should be aware of the potential side effects.

Common Risperdal Side Effects:

Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Constipation; coughing; diarrhea; drowsiness; dryness of mouth; headache; heartburn; increased dream activity; increased length of sleep; nausea; sore throat; stuffy or runny nose; unusual tiredness or weakness; weight gain

Less Common Risperdal Side Effects:

Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Darkening of skin color; dry skin; increased sensitivity of the skin to sun; increased watering of mouth; joint pain; stomach pain; vomiting; weight loss

SPECIAL WARNING About Risperdal Side Effects:

Along with its needed effects, risperidone can sometimes cause serious side effects. Tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder) may occur and may not go away after you stop using the medicine. Signs of tardive dyskinesia include fine, worm-like movements of the tongue, or other uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, or arms and legs. Other serious but rare side effects may also occur. These include neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), which may cause severe muscle stiffness, fever, severe tiredness or weakness, fast heartbeat, difficult breathing, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, or seizures. You and your doctor should discuss the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of taking it.

Stop taking risperidone and get emergency help immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare: Convulsions (seizures); difficult or fast breathing; fast heartbeat or irregular pulse; fever (high); high or low blood pressure; increased sweating; loss of bladder control; muscle stiffness (severe); unusually pale skin; unusual tiredness or weakness (severe)

Notify your doctor immediately if you experience any of these Risperdal side effects

More Common: Difficulty in speaking or swallowing; inability to move eyes; muscle spasms of face, neck, and back; twisting movements of body

Rare: High body temperature (dizziness; fast, shallow breathing; fast, weak heartbeat; headache; muscle cramps; pale, clammy skin; increased thirst); lip smacking or puckering; low body temperature (confusion, drowsiness, poor coordination, shivering); prolonged, painful, inappropriate erection of the penis; puffing of cheeks; rapid or worm-like movements of tongue; uncontrolled chewing movements; uncontrolled movements of arms and legs

Notify your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of these Risperdal side effects:

More Common: Anxiety or nervousness; changes in vision, including blurred vision; decreased sexual desire or performance; loss of balance control; mask-like face; menstrual changes; mood or mental changes, including aggressive behavior, agitation, difficulty in concentration, and memory problems; problems in urination or increase in amount of urine; restlessness or need to keep moving (severe); shuffling walk; skin rash or itching; stiffness or weakness of arms or legs; tic-like or twitching movements; trembling and shaking of fingers and hands; trouble in sleeping

Less Common: Back pain; chest pain; seborrhea (skin condition that may include dandruff and oily skin); unusual secretion of milk

Rare: Extreme thirst; increased blinking or spasms of eyelid; loss of appetite; talking, feeling, and acting with excitement and activity that cannot be controlled; uncontrolled twisting movements of neck, trunk, arms, or legs; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual facial expressions or body positions

Risperdal Withdrawal Side Effects - Notify Doctor:

Some side effects, such as uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, and jaw, or uncontrolled movements of arms and legs, may occur after you have stopped taking this medicine. If you notice any of these effects, check with your doctor as soon as possible.

Other Risperdal side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Disclaimer: This is not intended to be all-inclusive or to replace information provided by your doctor or with the prescription from the manufacturer.