RISPERDAL^® CONSTA^® (risperidone) long-acting injection is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR RISPERDAL^® CONSTA^®

		Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with atypical 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 the 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. RISPERDAL® CONSTA® (risperidone) is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.

Cerebrovascular Adverse Events (CAEs): CAEs, including fatalities, have been reported in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis taking oral risperidone in clinical trials. The incidence of CAEs with risperidone was significantly higher than with placebo. RISPERDAL^® CONSTA^® is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS): NMS, a potentially fatal symptom complex, has been reported with the use of antipsychotic medications, including RISPERDAL^® CONSTA^®. Clinical manifestations include muscle rigidity, fever, altered mental status and evidence of autonomic instability (see full Prescribing Information). Management should include immediate discontinuation of antipsychotic drugs and other drugs not essential to concurrent therapy, intensive symptomatic treatment and medical monitoring, and treatment of any concomitant serious medical problems.

Tardive Dyskinesia (TD): TD is a syndrome of potentially irreversible, involuntary, dyskinetic movements that may develop in patients treated with antipsychotic medications. The risk of developing TD and the likelihood that dyskinetic movements will become irreversible are believed to increase with duration of treatment and total cumulative dose. Elderly patients appeared to be at increased risk for TD. Prescribing should be consistent with the need to minimize the risk of TD. The syndrome may remit, partially or completely, if antipsychotic treatment is withdrawn.

Hyperglycemia and Diabetes: Hyperglycemia, some cases extreme and associated with ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar coma or death has been reported in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics (APS), including RISPERDAL^® CONSTA^®. Patients starting treatment with APS who have or are at risk for diabetes should undergo fasting blood glucose testing at the beginning of and during treatment. Patients who develop symptoms of hyperglycemia should also undergo fasting blood glucose testing.

Hyperprolactinemia: As with other drugs that antagonize dopamine D₂ receptors, RISPERDAL^® CONSTA^® elevates prolactin levels and the elevation persists during chronic administration. Risperidone is associated with higher levels of prolactin elevation than other antipsychotic agents.

Orthostatic Hypotension: RISPERDAL^® CONSTA^® may induce orthostatic hypotension associated with dizziness, tachycardia, and in some patients, syncope, especially during the initial dose-titration period. Monitoring should be considered in patients for whom this may be of concern.
RISPERDAL^® CONSTA^® should be used with caution in patients with known cardiovascular disease, and conditions that would predispose patients to hypotension.

Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment: RISPERDAL^® CONSTA^® has the potential to impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills. Patients should be cautioned about operating hazardous machinery, including motor vehicles, until they are reasonably certain that RISPERDAL^® CONSTA^® does not affect them adversely.

Seizures: RISPERDAL^® CONSTA^® should be used cautiously in patients with a history of seizures.

Suicide: The possibility of suicide attempt is inherent in psychotic illnesses. Close supervision of high-risk patients should accompany drug therapy.

Symptoms (EPS): The overall incidence of EPS-related adverse events in patients treated with 25 mg and 50 mg of RISPERDAL^® CONSTA^® and placebo, respectively, were akathisia* (4%, 11%, 6%), Parkinsonism** (8%, 15%, 9%) and tremor (0%, 3%, 0%).
* Akathisia and restlessness
** Extrapyramidal disorder, musculoskeletal stiffness, muscle rigidity, and bradykinesia

Weight Gain: In a 12-week trial, the percentage of patients experiencing weight gain (>7% of baseline body weight) was 6% placebo versus 9% RISPERDAL^® CONSTA^®.

Maintenance Treatment: Patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for continued treatment.

Commonly Observed Adverse Reactions for RISPERDAL^® CONSTA^®: The most common adverse reactions in clinical trials (≥5%) were headache, Parkinsonism, dizziness, akathisia, fatigue, constipation, dyspepsia, sedation, weight increase, pain in extremities, and dry mouth.

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For more information, read the full US Prescribing Information by clicking here.