Risperdal (risperidone tablets) is an atypical antipsychotic medication that's used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia, including hallucinations, hearing voices, sensing things that are not there, and unusual suspiciousness. The medication may also be used alone or with lithium or divalproex for short-term treatment of mixed or manic episodes in adults who have a condition called Bipolar I disorder. Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings. Risperdal is made by Johnson & Johnson subsidary Janssen, L.P. and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1994.
In November 2013, Johnson & Johnson agreed to resolve criminal and civil investigations into the marketing of Risperdal and other widely-prescribed medications by paying over $2.2 billion. This was one of the largest penalties ever levied against a company for healthcare fraud. According to the agreement, Johnson & Johnson pled guilty to misbranding Risperdal for unapproved uses, as well as for paying kickbacks to physicians and to Omnicare Inc., the largest pharmacy for nursing homes.
In 2012, an Arkansas jury determined that Johnson & Johnson downplayed and hid risks associated with Risperdal. The trial judge ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay more than $1.2 billion in fines for nearly 240,000 violations of the state's Medicaid fraud law.
Risperdal and other antipsychotic medications can cause serious problems such as:
Other serious side effects from Risperdal use may include:
The most common side effects from Risperdal use include:
Before you start taking Risperdal, tell your healthcare professional if you:
Because certain other medications can interact with Risperdal, you should talk first with your healthcare professional about all prescription and non-prescription medicines you are taking. Your healthcare professional may have to adjust your dose or watch you more closely if you take the following medications:
In addition, you should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Risperdal.
Dizziness, and sometimes fainting, caused by a drop in blood pressure may occur with Risperdal, especially when you first start taking this medicine or when the dose is increased. Risperdal may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills. You should be careful when operating machinery, including automobiles, until you know how Risperdal affects you. It's important to avoid overheating and dehydration while taking Risperdal, because Risperdal use may make it harder to lower your body temperature.
Treating Risperdal complications, including gynecomastia, can require expensive surgeries and medical care. A product liability suit can allow patients to receive compensation for these expenses. Since product liability law is a complicated area of the law, it's in your best interests to consult with an experienced attorney near you today.
