Risperidone oral tablets dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes risperidone oral tablets’ dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take the drug. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for risperidone. If you want to know more about risperidone oral tablets, see this overview article. It covers details about the drugs’ uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Risperidone oral tablets are a generic version of the brand-name drug Risperdal. Risperidone also comes in an oral liquid solution, but that form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about that form, talk with your doctor.

Boxed warning: Increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis

Risperidone has a boxed warning for the increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Boxed warning” section at the end of this article. See the end of this article for more information about this warning.

Forms and strengths of risperidone

Risperidone oral tablets come in these forms and milligram (mg) strengths:

Dosage of risperidone

This article describes the recommended dosages for risperidone oral tablets. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of risperidone oral tablets without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of risperidone in adults

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of risperidone oral tablets. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of risperidone oral tablets that gives the desired outcome.

Dosages for schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, and other conditions

The table below shows the recommended dosages of risperidone for its approved uses in adults.

Dosages of risperidone in children

The table below shows the recommended dosages of risperidone for its approved uses in children.

The dosage for irritability due to autism is based on body weight in kilograms (kg). If your child weighs less than 20 kgs (about 44 pounds) their doctor will likely prescribe a starting dosage of 0.25 mg per day. If your child weighs 20 kgs or more, they may recommend a starting dosage of 0.5 mg per day.

Dosage adjustments for risperidone

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of risperidone oral tablets based on several factors. They may need to adjust your dosage depending on:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• your age
• other health conditions you may have
• how well your liver or kidneys are working
• other medications you may take

Missed dose of risperidone

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of risperidone oral tablets. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of risperidone oral tablets and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about risperidone oral tablets and their dosage.

Can risperidone be used for anxiety, sleep, or depression? If so, what is the dosage?

Risperidone oral tablets are not approved to be used for anxiety, sleep problems, or depression. However, sometimes doctors prescribe medication for an off-label use. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

If you have questions about taking risperidone for one of these uses, talk with your doctor.

What is considered a low dose of risperidone?

Risperidone oral tablets come in the following milligram (mg) strengths:

• 0.25 mg
• 0.5 mg
• 1 mg
• 2 mg
• 3 mg
• 4 mg

The typical lowest dosage of risperidone is 0.25 mg per day. But this depends on many factors, including your age and what condition your doctor is treating.

If you have questions about your dosage of risperidone or what’s considered a low dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is risperidone taken long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe risperidone oral tablets as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take risperidone oral tablets, talk with your doctor.

How risperidone is taken

Typically, you’ll swallow risperidone oral tablets once per day, with or without food.

If your doctor prescribes risperidone orally disintegrating tablet, you’ll place the tablet on your tongue and let it dissolve. The orally disintegrating tablets should not be chewed, split, or crushed.

The manufacturer of risperidone oral tablet does not state if these tablets can be chewed, split, or crushed. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Risperidone coupon

Visit the following pages to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for risperidone:

• risperidone oral tablet
• risperidone orally disintegrating tablet

These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of risperidone

It’s important that you do not take more risperidone oral tablets than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of risperidone overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• extreme drowsiness
• racing heartbeat
• low blood pressure
• seizures
• erratic, restless body movements

What to do if you take too much risperidone

If you think you’ve taken too much risperidone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for risperidone oral tablets. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of risperidone oral tablets without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take risperidone oral tablets exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Would you change my dosage of risperidone oral tablet if my current dosage isn’t working for my condition?
• Does my dosage of risperidone oral tablet need to change if I’m taking other drugs with it?
• Would a different dosage of risperidone oral tablet raise or lower my risk of side effects from the drug?

Boxed warning for risperidone

Risperidone has a boxed warning for the increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In general, older adults refers to people ages 65 years and older.

In studies of antipsychotic medications similar to risperidone, older adults with psychosis related to dementia had an increased risk of death.

In the studies, the causes of death included stroke, heart failure, and pneumonia.

Because of this risk, risperidone is not approved to treat dementia-related psychosis. To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also talk with your doctor to learn more.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.