Drug Warning: Risperdal

Generic name: risperidone (known as atypical antipsychotics)

Manufactured and marketed by: Janssen Pharmaceutica, Inc.

Purpose: Prescribed for the treatment of symptoms associated with schizophrenia and Bipolar I disorder.

Side Effects Reported

• Common side effects of Risperdal may include nausea, rash, abdominal pain, weight gain, uncontrolled movements, and anxiety.
• Similarly to other atypical antipsychotic medications, Risperdal may be linked to serious health problems including, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), tardive dyskinesia (TD), stroke, diabetes, and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).

Industry Report

The FDA has added a black box warning to the labeling of atypical antipsychotics, including Risperdal, as a result of reports that older patients treated for dementia with atypical antipsychotics had an increased risk of death when compared to patients in a placebo control group. The majority of the deaths appear to have been caused by heart related ailments such as heart disease and infections like pneumonia.

Atypical antipsychotics in general have been linked to increasing the risk of obesity, high cholesterol, as well as diabetes in patients treated with these medications, including Risperdal. The risk of diabetes is increased further in those patients that have additional risk factors such as obesity or family history of diabetes. Patients who have additional risk factors for diabetes are advised to undergo glucose testing before beginning treatment with atypical antipsychotics such as Risperdal. Patients should be monitored for any symptoms of hyperglycemia that may develop during treatment with Risperdal.

Seeger Weiss is not currently pursuing lawsuits on this drug, but its drug warnings will remain on our radar.

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