Pronunciation: ris PER i done
Generic name: risperidone
Brand names: Perseris Kit, Risperdal, Risperdal Consta, Risvan, Rykindo, Uzedy
Dosage form: oral tablets, oral disintegrating tablets, oral solution/liquid, long-acting intramuscular injection, extended-release subcutaneous injection, extended-release suspension for subcutaneous use
Drug class: Atypical antipsychotics

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 14, 2025.

What is risperidone?

Risperidone is an antipsychotic medicine that works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain.

Oral risperidone is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children who are at least 13 years old. Long-acting injectable risperidone is used for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in adults.

Oral risperidone is also used to treat symptoms of bipolar I disorder (manic depression) in adults and children who are at least 10 years old. Long-acting injectable risperidone is approved for the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder in adults, as monotherapy or as adjunctive therapy to lithium or valproate.

Oral risperidone is also used to treat symptoms of irritability in autistic children who are 5 to 16 years old.

Warnings

Risperidone carries a Boxed Warning for increased risk of death in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis. It is not approved for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.

Do not give risperidone to a child without a doctor's advice.

There is an increased incidence of cerebrovascular adverse reactions in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis; neuroleptic malignant syndrome; tardive dyskinesia; metabolic changes; hyperprolactinemia; orthostatic hypotension and syncope; leukopenia, neutropenia, and agranulocytosis; potential for cognitive and motor impairment; seizures; and priapism.

While you are taking this medicine, you may be more sensitive to temperature extremes such as very hot or cold conditions. Avoid getting too cold, or becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking this medication.

Risperidone may impair your thinking or reactions and cause drowsiness. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of this medicine.

Risperidone Side Effects

Most Common Side Effects

• Headache

• Blurred vision, rash

• Dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling

• Tremors, twitching or uncontrollable muscle movements, numbness

• Depressed mood, agitation, anxiety, feeling restless

• Back pain, muscle or joint pain, pain in your arms or legs

• Upset stomach, constipation, dry mouth

• Upper stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

• Increased salivation;

• Cold symptoms such as a stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;

• Increased appetite, weight gain

• Itching, bruising, swelling, irritation, warmth, redness, and a hard lump (induration) where the injection was given.

High doses or long-term use of risperidone can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. The longer you use risperidone, the more likely you are to develop this disorder, especially if you are a woman or an older adult.

Serious Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to risperidone, such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• Uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking, or eye movement)

• Breast swelling and tenderness, nipple discharge, loss of interest in sex, impotence, erectile dysfunction, difficulty having an orgasm, missed menstrual periods

• Feeling unusually hot or cold

• Low blood pressure, fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest

• Shortness of breath, sudden dizziness (like you might pass out)

• A seizure

• Trouble swallowing

• Signs of infection - fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, bruising or bleeding

• Severe nervous system reaction - very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out. Stop taking risperidone immediately and seek urgent medical attention

• High blood sugar - increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor

• Low white blood cells - sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing;

• Low levels of platelets in your blood - easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

• A penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer. 

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the  FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

Before Taking This Medicine

Absolute Contraindications

Do not use risperidone if you are allergic to it.

Risperidone may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for this use.

Caution Needed

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• Heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, stroke, or heart attack

• Diabetes (or risk factors such as obesity or family history of diabetes)

• Low white blood cell (WBC) counts

• Liver or kidney disease;

• Seizures

• Breast cancer

• Low bone mineral density

• Trouble swallowing

• Parkinson's disease

• If you are dehydrated.

The risperidone orally disintegrating tablet may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Do not give this medicine to a child without a doctor's advice.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Considerations

Pregnancy

Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking risperidone, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of risperidone on the baby.

Breastfeeding

Risperidone can pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in the baby. If you breast-feed while using this medicine, tell your doctor if the baby has symptoms such as drowsiness, tremors, or involuntary muscle movements.

Fertility

This medicine may temporarily affect fertility (ability to have children) in women.

How Should I Take Risperidone?

Oral Risperidone

Take risperidone exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

• Risperidone can be taken with or without food.
• It may take up to several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODT): Remove an ODT from the package only when you are ready to take the medicine. Place the tablet in your mouth and allow it to dissolve, without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves.

Oral Solution/Liquid: Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon). Do not mix the liquid medicine with cola or tea.

Injectable Risperidone

A healthcare provider will give you your risperidone injection. Follow their instructions concerning other antipsychotic medications that you take. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice.

• You may need to take risperidone by mouth (in pill or liquid form) before you start receiving a risperidone injection. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
• Some injectable forms of risperidone (Perseris, Uzedy) are given under the skin (subcutaneously) into the abdomen or upper arm.
• Other injectable forms of risperidone (Risperdal Consta) are given into a muscle (intramuscularly).

Your blood may need to be tested often. Your doctor will need to check your progress regularly, and you may need other medical tests.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of oral risperidone, take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

If you miss an appointment for your injectable risperidone, call your doctor for instructions.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting, and restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck.

What to avoid

Avoid driving or hazardous activities until you know how risperidone will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls, fractures, or other injuries.

Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.

While you are taking/receiving risperidone, you may be more sensitive to temperature extremes such as very hot or cold conditions. Avoid getting too cold, or becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise

What other drugs will affect risperidone?

Taking risperidone with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• blood pressure medication;

• carbamazepine;

• clozapine;

• fluoxetine (Prozac) or paroxetine (Paxil); or

• levodopa.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with risperidone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Storage

Store oral risperidone (tablets/solution) at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not allow liquid medicine to freeze.

Popular FAQ

More FAQ

• What drugs cause tardive dyskinesia?
• What is the difference between Perseris and Risperdal Consta?

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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