Uzedy
Uzedy (risperidone) is a long-acting injectable antipsychotic that's used to treat schizophrenia. Your healthcare provider will inject this medication under your skin every 1 to 2 months, depending on the dose. Some side effects you might experience from Uzedy (risperidone) include movement problems, weight gain, and drowsiness.
What is Uzedy (risperidone)?
What is Uzedy (risperidone) used for?
Schizophrenia in adults
How Uzedy (risperidone) works
Uzedy (risperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic. It's not completely known how Uzedy (risperidone) works, but it's thought to work by balancing out the levels of chemicals (dopamine and serotonin) in your brain to help control your thoughts, mood, and behaviors.
Drug Facts
What are the side effects of Uzedy (risperidone)?
Common Side Effects
- Muscle stiffness, muscle tightening, difficulty with movement (25%)
- Extreme sleepiness (11%)
- Restlessness, trouble remaining still (9%)
- Tremor (6%)
- Dizziness (6%)
- Nausea (5%)
- Repetitive movements, abnormal postures (5%)
Other Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Drooling
- Blurry vision
- Stomach discomfort
- Feeling tired or having low energy
Serious Side Effects
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: fever, sweating, stiff muscles, confusion, not aware of your surroundings, fast or irregular heartbeat
- Dangerously high blood sugar: frequently thirsty, needing to urinate often, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, having fruity breath, having dry mouth
- Serious infections: fever, headache, chills, body aches, cough, weakness
- Seizures
- Difficulty swallowing
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)—increased thirst or amount of urine, unusual weakness or fatigue, blurry vision
- High fever, stiff muscles, increased sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, and confusion, which may be signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- High prolactin level—unexpected breast tissue growth, discharge from the nipple, change in sex drive or performance, irregular menstrual cycle
- Infection—fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
- Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
- Pain or trouble swallowing
- Prolonged or painful erection
- Seizures
- Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision
- Uncontrolled and repetitive body movements, muscle stiffness or spasms, tremors or shaking, loss of balance or coordination, restlessness, shuffling walk, which may be signs of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Muscle pain or cramps
- Weight gain
Pros and cons of Uzedy (risperidone)
Pros
Risperidone is a first-choice option for schizophrenia
Given once per month or once every 2 months, depending on the dose
Can start to work within 6 to 24 hours after receiving the first injection
Cons
Needs to be injected by a healthcare provider
Hasn't been studied in children
More likely to cause weight gain, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar than other atypical antipsychotics
Must be avoided in older adults who have dementia-related psychosis
Pharmacist tips for Uzedy (risperidone)
Make sure to mark your appointments in your calendar to see your provider and receive your Uzedy (risperidone) doses so you don't miss any of your doses.
Uzedy (risperidone) interacts with a lot of commonly-used medications, such as certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) and blood pressure medications. Let your provider know about all the medications you're taking before starting Uzedy (risperidone). Don't start any new medications without talking to your provider or pharmacist first.
It's best to avoid alcohol while taking Uzedy (risperidone) because it can worsen side effects (e.g., drowsiness, dizziness) as well as worsen symptoms of schizophrenia.
Uzedy (risperidone) can make you sleepy and dizzy. Don't drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how this medication affects you.
Uzedy (risperidone) can raise your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, ask your provider if you need to check your blood sugar more often while taking Uzedy (risperidone).
Uzedy (risperidone) can raise cholesterol (fat) levels in your blood and can cause weight gain. It's important that you eat a healthy and balanced diet low in fat and sugar and maintain a regular exercise routine while taking Uzedy (risperidone).
Uzedy (risperidone) can cause a drop in blood pressure when moving positions, such as from sitting to standing. This is more common when starting treatment and when your dose changes. Make sure to get up slowly and try to hold onto something for stability. If you end up falling or hitting your head, get medical help right away.
Although rare, Uzedy (risperidone) can cause difficulty swallowing, which can raise the risk for choking. Make sure to take small bites of food and eat slowly to lower your risk for choking.
Uzedy (risperidone) can make it harder for your body to cool down if your body temperature gets too high. This makes it more likely for you to become dehydrated and your body to overheat. Let your healthcare provider know if you feel very hot or thirsty, notice a change in the amount of sweat or urine you make, or if you notice very dark-colored urine.
Frequently asked questions about Uzedy (risperidone)
How to save using GoodRx
What are the risks and warnings for Uzedy (risperidone)?
Uzedy (risperidone) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Higher risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis
Risk factors: Older adults with dementia-related psychosis
People over the age of 65 who also have dementia sometimes have some of the symptoms of schizophrenia, like hallucinations and delusions. This is called dementia-related psychosis, and it should not be treated with Uzedy (risperidone). If Uzedy (risperidone) is used for dementia-related psychosis, it can cause death. In clinical studies, the cause of death is often linked to stroke or other blood vessel problems. Let your provider know if you or your loved one has dementia before starting Uzedy (risperidone).
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Taking antipsychotic medications like Uzedy (risperidone) can cause a rare, but life-threatening condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Symptoms include fever, sweating, stiff muscles, confusion, not aware of your surroundings, and fast or irregular heartbeat. If you experience any of these symptoms while taking Uzedy (risperidone), get medication attention as soon as possible. You provider will likely have you stop taking Uzedy (risperidone) and switch you to something else.
Difficulty controlling muscle movements (tardive dyskinesia)
Risk factors: Older adults | Female and 65 years or older | Higher than recommended doses of Uzedy (risperidone) | Taking Uzedy (risperidone) for a long time
Uzedy (risperidone) can cause uncontrolled and possibly permanent muscle movements in the tongue, face, mouth, lips, neck, hands, arms, legs, and feet (tardive dyskinesia). To lower your risk of tardive dyskinesia, take the lowest dose possible for the shortest period of time for your symptoms. Stop taking Uzedy (risperidone) and talk to your provider right away if you notice any unusual movements you can't control.
Weight gain, higher blood sugar, and higher cholesterol levels
Risk factors: Diabetes | High cholesterol | Identified as obese
Uzedy (risperidone) can raise your blood sugar and cholesterol levels as well as raise your appetite, all of which can lead to weight gain. Your provider will likely order blood tests regularly throughout treatment with Uzedy (risperidone) to make sure your blood sugar and cholesterol aren't too high. Make sure to have a healthy and balanced diet low in fat and sugar and maintain a regular exercise routine while receiving Uzedy (risperidone).
High prolactin levels
Uzedy (risperidone) can cause prolactin hormone levels in your blood to go up. High prolactin levels can lead to symptoms such as milky substances being released from the nipple, enlarged breasts, and absent or irregular menstrual periods. Talk to your healthcare provider if you experience or have any concerns about these symptoms.
Changes in blood pressure and higher risk of falls
Risk factors: Low blood pressure | Taking medications that lower blood pressure | History of medical conditions that can lower blood pressure | High Uzedy (risperidone) doses | Liver or kidney problems | 65 years or older
Uzedy (risperidone) can make you tired, lower your blood pressure, or cause you to lose your balance, which can lead to falls. When standing from a sitting or lying position, make sure to get up slowly and hold onto something. If you experience a fall while taking Uzedy (risperidone), contact your provider.
Risk of infection (from low white blood cell count)
Risk factors: Poor immune system
Though rare, Uzedy (risperidone) can lower your white blood cell counts (WBCs) and put you at risk for developing infections. You might need to get blood tests done regularly during the first few months of taking Uzedy (risperidone) so your provider can make sure your WBCs are in a safe range. If your WBC count drops too low, you'll likely need to stop taking Uzedy (risperidone). If you develop any signs of infection, such as fever, tiredness, chills, cough, or trouble breathing, and they don't go away, contact your provider right away.
Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness
Risk factors: Taking high doses of Uzedy (risperidone) | Age 65 years or older | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications that can cause sleepiness
Uzedy (risperidone) can cause extreme sleepiness and lower your ability to think, react, and focus. Your risk is higher if you're also taking other medications that can cause drowsiness, such as benzodiazepines, anxiety medications, muscle relaxants, and sleep medications. Make sure you know how this medication affects you before driving a car or doing activities that require your concentration. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you feel too sleepy from Uzedy (risperidone).
Seizures
Risk factors: History of seizures | Health conditions that make it easier to get seizures
Uzedy (risperidone) can potentially cause seizures. Before starting this medication, let your provider know if you have a history of seizures or have a medical condition that puts you at risk for getting seizures.
Prolonged and painful erection
Although rare, Uzedy (risperidone) can cause prolonged and painful erections, which sometimes requires surgery to treat. If you develop a prolonged erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, get medical attention right away.
Uzedy (risperidone) dosage forms
Typical dosing for Uzedy (risperidone)
Your provider will calculate your dose of Uzedy (risperidone) based on what dose of oral risperidone (Risperdal) you were previously taking.
The typical dose of Uzedy (risperidone) is 50 mg to 125 mg injected under the skin once per month, or 100 mg to 250 mg once every 2 months, by a healthcare provider.
Your dose might differ if you're taking a medication that interacts with Uzedy (risperidone), or if you have kidney or liver problems.
Uzedy (risperidone) contraindications
Allergy to risperidone or paliperidone (Invega)
What are alternatives to Uzedy (risperidone)?
Schizophrenia in adults
Bipolar 1 disorder in adults
Schizophrenia in adults
Bipolar 1 disorder in adults
Get savings updates for Uzedy (risperidone)
Receive price alerts, news, and other messages from GoodRx about Uzedy (risperidone) and other healthcare topics and relevant savings offers.By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.
References
Best studies we foundHikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. (2023). Risperidone- risperidone solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Muench, J., et al. (2010). Adverse effects of antipsychotic medications. American Family Physician.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Schizophrenia.
Psychiatry Online. (2020). Guideline statement summary. The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Schizophrenia.
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. (2023). Uzedy- risperidone injection, suspension, extended release [package insert]. DailyMed.
Browse medications
View AllResearch prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.