Risperidone: uses, appearance and warnings

Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic agent indicated for: Treatment of schizophrenia ( 1.1 ) As monotherapy or adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate, for the treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder ( 1.2 ) Treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Schizophrenia Risperidone oral solution is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia. Efficacy was established in 4 short-term trials in adults, 2 short-term trials in adolescents (ages 13 to 17 years), and one long-term maintenance trial in adults [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. 1.2 Bipolar Mania Monotherapy Risperidone oral solution is indicated for the treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder. Efficacy was established in 2 short-term trials in adults and one short-term trial in children and adolescents (ages 10 to 17 years) [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ]. Adjunctive Therapy Risperidone oral solution adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate is indicated for the treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder. Efficacy was established in one short-term trial in adults [see Clinical Studies (14.3) ]. 1.3 Irritability Associated with Autistic Disorder Risperidone oral solution is indicated for the treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder, including symptoms of aggression towards others, deliberate self- injuriousness, temper tantrums, and quickly changing moods. Efficacy was established in 3 short-term trials in children and adolescents (ages 5 to 17 years) [see Clinical Studies (14.4) ].

Risperidone is available as a 1 mg/mL oral solution. Oral solution: 1 mg per mL ( 3 )

16.1 How Supplied Risperidone oral solution USP, 1 mg/mL (NDC 83745-186-30) is supplied in 30 mL bottles with a calibrated (in milliliters) oral dosing syringe. 16.2 Storage and Handling Store at controlled room temperature between 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); Excursions permitted between 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Protect from light and freezing. Keep out of reach of children. 16.1 How Supplied Risperidone oral solution USP, 1 mg/mL (NDC 83745-186-30) is supplied in 30 mL bottles with a calibrated (in milliliters) oral dosing syringe.

Risperidone oral solution is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to either risperidone or paliperidone, or to any of the excipients in the risperidone oral solution formulation. Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic reactions and angioedema, have been reported in patients treated with risperidone and in patients treated with paliperidone. Paliperidone is a metabolite of risperidone. Known hypersensitivity to risperidone, paliperidone, or to any excipients in risperidone oral solution. ( 4 )

Cerebrovascular events, including stroke, in elderly patients with dementia- related psychosis: Risperidone is not approved for use in patients with dementia-related psychosis. (5.2) Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: Manage with immediate discontinuation of risperidone and close monitoring. (5.3) Tardive dyskinesia: Consider discontinuing risperidone if clinically indicated. (5.4) Metabolic Changes: Atypical antipsychotic drugs have been associated with metabolic changes that may increase cardiovascular/cerebrovascular risk. These metabolic changes include hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and weight gain. (5.5) Hyperglycemia and Diabetes Mellitus: Monitor patients for symptoms of hyperglycemia including polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and weakness. Monitor glucose regularly in patients with diabetes or at risk for diabetes. (5.5) Dyslipidemia: Undesirable alterations have been observed in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics. (5.5) Weight Gain: Significant weight gain has been reported. Monitor weight gain. (5.5) Hyperprolactinemia: Prolactin elevations occur and persist during chronic administration. (5.6) Orthostatic hypotension: For patients at risk, consider a lower starting dose and slower titration. (5.7) Leukopenia, Neutropenia, and Agranulocytosis: Perform complete blood counts in patients with a history of clinically significant low white blood cell count (WBC). Consider discontinuing risperidone if a clinically significant decline in WBC occurs in the absence of other causative factors. (5.9) Potential for cognitive and motor impairment: Use caution when operating machinery. (5.10) Seizures: Use cautiously in patients with a history of seizures or with conditions that lower the seizure threshold. (5.11) 5.1 Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of 17 placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients. Over the course of a typical 10-week controlled trial, the rate of death in drug- treated patients was about 4.5%, compared to a rate of about 2.6% in the placebo group. Although the causes of death were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (e.g., heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (e.g., pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that, similar to atypical antipsychotic drugs, treatment with conventional antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. The extent to which the findings of increased mortality in observational studies may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to some characteristic(s) of the patients is not clear. In two of four placebo-controlled trials in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis, a higher incidence of mortality was observed in patients treated with furosemide plus risperidone when compared to patients treated with Risperidone alone or with placebo plus furosemide. No pathological mechanism has been identified to explain this finding, and no consistent pattern for cause of death was observed. Risperidone is not approved for the treatment of dementia-related psychosis [see Boxed Warning ]. 5.2 Cerebrovascular Adverse Reactions, Including Stroke, in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis Cerebrovascular adverse reactions (e.g., stroke, transient ischemic attack), including fatalities, were reported in patients (mean age 85 years; range 73 to 97) in trials of risperidone in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis. In placebo-controlled trials, there was a significantly higher incidence of cerebrovascular adverse events in patients treated with risperidone compared to patients treated with placebo. Risperidone is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis. [See also Boxed Warnings and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] 5.3 Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), a potentially fatal symptom complex, has been reported in association with antipsychotic drugs. Clinical manifestations of NMS are hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, altered mental status including delirium, and autonomic instability (irregular pulse or blood pressure, tachycardia, diaphoresis, and cardiac dysrhythmia). Additional signs may include elevated creatine phosphokinase, myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis), and acute renal failure. If NMS is suspected, immediately discontinue Risperidone and provide symptomatic treatment and monitoring. 5.4 Tardive Dyskinesia Tardive dyskinesia, a syndrome consisting of potentially irreversible, involuntary, dyskinetic movements, may develop in patients treated with antipsychotic drugs. Although the prevalence of the syndrome appears to be highest among the elderly, especially elderly women, it is impossible to predict which patients will develop the syndrome. Whether antipsychotic drug products differ in their potential to cause tardive dyskinesia is unknown. The risk of developing tardive dyskinesia and the likelihood that it will become irreversible increase with the duration of treatment and the cumulative dose. The syndrome can develop after relatively brief treatment periods, even at low doses. It may also occur after discontinuation of treatment. Tardive dyskinesia may remit, partially or completely, if antipsychotic treatment is discontinued. Antipsychotic treatment, itself, however, may suppress (or partially suppress) the signs and symptoms of the syndrome, possibly masking the underlying process. The effect that symptomatic suppression has upon the long-term course of the syndrome is unknown. Given these considerations, Risperidone should be prescribed in a manner that is most likely to minimize the occurrence of tardive dyskinesia. …

The following are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: Increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Cerebrovascular adverse events, including stroke, in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Neuroleptic malignant syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Tardive dyskinesia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Metabolic Changes (Hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus, Dyslipidemia, and Weight Gain) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Hyperprolactinemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Orthostatic hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Falls [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Leukopenia, neutropenia, and agranulocytosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Potential for cognitive and motor impairment [see Warning …

Carbamazepine and other enzyme inducers decrease plasma concentrations of risperidone. Increase the risperidone dose up to double the patient’s usual dose. Titrate slowly. ( 7.1 ) Fluoxetine, paroxetine, and other CYP 2D6 enzyme inhibitors increase plasma concentrations of risperidone. Reduce the initial dose. Do not exceed a final dose of 8 mg per day of risperidone. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Pharmacokinetic-related Interactions The dose of risperidone should be adjusted when used in combination with CYP2D6 enzyme inhibitors (e.g., fluoxetine, and paroxetine) and enzyme inducers (e.g., carbamazepine) [see Table 18 and Dosage and Administration (2.5) ]. Dose adjustment is not recommended for risperidone when co-administered with ranitidine, cimetidine, amitriptyline, or erythromycin [see Table 18 ]. …