What it means
An atypical antipsychotican-tee-sy-KOT-ikA drug used to treat psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions, in conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.Full entry that blocks dopamine and serotonin receptors. It comes as tablets, tablets that melt on the tongue, a liquid and long-acting injections. Side effects include weight gain, higher blood sugar and cholesterol, high prolactin (breast swelling, milk discharge, missed periods), dizziness on standing and, at higher doses, movement problems. It carries the antipsychotic boxed warning for a higher death rate in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. Its name can be confused with ropiniroleroh-PIN-ih-rohlA drug that acts like dopamine in the brain, used for Parkinson disease and for restless legs syndrome.Full entry .
For the nurse
Check weight, blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure at the start and during treatment. Watch for stiffness, restlessness and unusual movements, and report a high fever with rigid muscles at once. Teach the client to rise slowly.
At a glance
| Drug class | second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Risperdal, Risperdal Consta |
| Spanish | risperidona |
| Also written | Risperdal, Risperdal Consta |
Easy to confuse with
ropinirole
A drug that acts like dopamine in the brain, used for Parkinson disease and for restless legs syndrome.
Related terms
bipolar disorder
A mental health condition with periods of very high mood and energy (mania) and, often, periods of depression.
schizophrenia
A long-term mental illness that changes a person's thinking, feelings and behavior, often with a loss of contact with reality.
antipsychotic
A drug used to treat psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions, in conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
tardive dyskinesia
A movement disorder with repeated movements a person cannot control, most often of the face, lips and tongue.