Risperdal

Risperdal is used to treat psychosis, including schizophrenia and its effectiveness is often compared to the antipsychotics Haldol and Clozaril. Risks of Risperdal can be very serious and are found to occur at a greater frequency in older Risperdal patients. Risperdal adverse effects have included Tardive Dyskinesia, stroke, blood clots, hemorrhages, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome, in addition to other adverse effects. High-risk Risperdal patients should consider alternate treatment methods first to better reduce risks of side effects.

Risperdal was only approved for the treatment of schizophrenia symptoms, so other patients should fully consider the risk of using Risperdal if treating another condition. There have also been various clinical studies showing there is an increased risk of Alzheimer’s patients using Risperdal to suffer stroke, stroke-like events, or to die. Risperdal labeling has stated there is a lack of evidence showing Risperdal is safe or effective in treating dementia, so patients may want to reconsider their treatment options.

Over the years, Risperdal has been used by over 10 million people worldwide and has become a treatment option for patients other than schizophrenia. Considering the very serious Risperdal side effects that can occur, doctors and patients should remain cautious of the use of Risperdal. Already, Risperdal is given to elderly patients to control behavioral disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as to children with conduct disorders, but in April 2003, J&J announced letters would be sent to thousands of U.S. physicians, warning of the possible increased risk of stroke among elderly patients.

The U.S. Risperdal warning letter came half a year after Canadian officials warned Canadian Risperdal patients of the same increase risk. In September 2003, the FDA requested the makers of six widely used class of antipsychotic drugs to include labeling language changes warning of the possible link between the antipsychotics (Clozaril, Geodon, Zyprexa, Risperdal, Seroquel, and Abilify) and diabetes. Risperdal, part of the highly prescribed atypical antipsychotics, had been shown in studies to have a higher incidence of low blood sugar and diabetes among patients.

For more information on Risperdal contact us to confer with a Risperdal lawyer.