Uzedy
Uzedy (risperidone) is a long-acting injectable atypical antipsychotic. It's used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in adults. Uzedy (risperidone) is given as an injection under the skin into your stomach or upper arm by a trained healthcare professional. It's often given once a month. People with schizophrenia can also choose to get injections once every 2 months. Some side effects include movement problems, weight gain, and sleepiness.
What is Uzedy (risperidone)?
What is Uzedy (risperidone) used for?
- Schizophrenia in adults
- Bipolar 1 disorder in adults
How Uzedy (risperidone) works
Uzedy (risperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic. It's not completely known how the medication works.
It's thought to work by balancing out the levels of certain chemicals in your brain that help regulate your emotions and thoughts. These mainly include dopamine and serotonin. This helps control your thoughts, mood, and behaviors.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Uzedy |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Atypical antipsychotic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Uzedy (risperidone)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Trouble sleeping (32%)
- Anxiety (16%)
- Movement problems (tremor, stiff muscles, slow movement; (14%)
- Restlessness or trouble staying still (10%)
- Sleepiness (10%)
- Nausea (9%)
- Constipation (8%)
- Indigestion (8%)
- Dizziness (7%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Stomach discomfort
- Tiredness
- Muscle spasms that you can't control
- Back pain
- Stuffy nose
- Dry mouth
- Common cold symptoms
Note: Side effects listed were from adults with schizophrenia taking oral risperidone (Risperdal). Side effects from Uzedy (risperidone) might differ.
Uzedy (risperidone) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: fever, sweating, stiff muscles, confusion, not being aware of your surroundings, fast or irregular heartbeat
- Dangerously high blood sugar: frequently thirsty, needing to urinate often, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, fruity breath, dry mouth
- Infection: fever, headache, chills, body aches, cough, weakness
- Seizures
- Trouble swallowing
- Painful erection lasting longer than 4 hours
The following Uzedy (risperidone) 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
- Given once every month (people with schizophrenia can also choose once every 2 months)
- Can start to work within 6 to 24 hours after receiving the first injection
Cons
- Must be injected by a trained healthcare professional
- Can cause weight gain, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar
- Hasn't been studied in children
Pharmacist tips for Uzedy (risperidone)
- Mark your appointments in your calendar for your Uzedy (risperidone) injections. Usually, you get the injection once every month. Adults with schizophrenia can also choose to get injections once every 2 months. Putting the dates on your calendar as reminders can help you stay on track with treatment.
- If you miss your appointment for your Uzedy (risperidone) injection, call your care team as soon as possible. They can help you reschedule.
- You might have a reaction where you get your Uzedy (risperidone) injection. There could be redness, itchiness, and swelling. Most times, this is mild or moderate and should go away in a few days. But if it bothers you or doesn't go away, talk to your care team.
- Uzedy (risperidone) can make you sleepy. It can also make it hard for you to think clearly, focus, and make fast decisions. Don't drive or do anything that needs your full attention until you know how this medication affects you.
- Uzedy (risperidone) can make you dizzy, especially when you stand up fast. This is more common when starting treatment and when your dose changes. Be sure to get up slowly and hold onto something sturdy to keep your balance. If you end up falling or hitting your head, get medical help right away.
- Uzedy (risperidone) can sometimes cause strange body movements that you can't control. This is called tardive dyskinesia. It might look like making odd faces, smacking your lips, sticking out your tongue, or swinging your arms. Let your care team know right away if this happens so they can find ways to help you.
- Drink plenty of fluids while taking Uzedy (risperidone), especially when it's hot. This medication can make it harder for your body to cool itself down. Drinking fluids and staying cool helps prevent your risk of dehydration and overheating.
- Avoid alcohol while taking Uzedy (risperidone). Alcohol can worsen side effects like drowsiness and dizziness. It can also make symptoms of your mental health condition worse.
- Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications you take. Don't start any new medications without asking them first. Uzedy (risperidone) can interact with many common medications. This can include some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and blood pressure medications. These interactions can cause more side effects or make your medications work less well. Your care team can make sure your medications are safe to take together.
- Although rare, some people have had trouble swallowing while taking antipsychotics like Uzedy (risperidone). This can raise the risk of choking. Make sure to take small bites of food and eat slowly to lower your risk of choking.
- If you're pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant: Talk to your prescriber. They can go over the risks and benefits of taking Uzedy (risperidone). Taking antipsychotics late in pregnancy might cause movement problems or withdrawal symptoms in your newborn. But it's also important to take care of your mental health during pregnancy. Your prescriber can help you decide what's best for you. If you take Uzedy (risperidone) while pregnant, your prescriber can help sign you up in a pregnancy registry to keep track of health outcomes.
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
People over the age of 65 with dementia can sometimes have some symptoms of schizophrenia. This can include seeing, hearing, or believing things that aren't real. This is called dementia-related psychosis. Studies show that older adults with this problem who take antipsychotics like Uzedy (risperidone) have a higher risk of stroke or death. The cause of death is often linked to stroke, infection, heart failure, or sudden death.
Because of this risk, Uzedy (risperidone) is not approved for older adults with dementia-related pyschosis. Let your prescriber know if you have dementia before starting this medication. Caregivers should let the prescriber know if the person they care for has dementia.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Antipsychotic medications like Uzedy (risperidone) might be linked to neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). This condition is rare but can be very serious. Watch for fever, sweating, stiff muscles, confusion, not being aware of your surroundings, or a fast heartbeat. If symptoms happen while taking this medication, get medical help right away. If your care team thinks it's NMS, they'll have you stop taking Uzedy (risperidone) and treat your symptoms.
Trouble controlling muscle movements (tardive dyskinesia)
- Risk factors: Older adults | Female and 65 years or older | High dose of Uzedy (risperidone) | Taking Uzedy (risperidone) for a long time
Uzedy (risperidone) can cause muscle movements you can't control. This is called tardive dyskinesia. It can look like face twitching or grimacing, mouth movements, and sticking out your tongue. Other examples are rocking back and forth or swinging your arms.
The risk of tardive dyskinesia, and for it to be permanent, is higher if you take the medication for a long time or at a high dose. But it can also happen even at low doses after a brief amount of time or after you stop treatment. To lower your risk, you'll be given the lowest dose possible for the shortest time needed to treat your mental health condition.
Talk to your prescriber right away if you notice any unusual movements you can't control while taking Uzedy (risperidone).
Higher blood sugar, higher cholesterol levels, and weight gain
- Risk factors: Diabetes | High cholesterol | Identify as obese
Some people taking Uzedy (risperidone) have had high blood sugar levels. In rare cases, blood sugar levels can get dangerously high. Tell your prescriber if you or someone in your family has diabetes. You might need to check your blood sugar during treatment. Tell your care team if it stays higher than usual. Watch for signs like thirst, hunger, weakness, more urination than usual, and fruity breath. Let your care team know if you have these signs because it could mean that you have very high blood sugar.
Antipsychotics like Uzedy (risperidone) can also make your cholesterol and triglycerides high. Get blood tests done when your prescriber tells you. This helps keep track of your cholesterol and makes sure it doesn't get too high.
In addition, some people might gain weight while taking Uzedy (risperidone). Do your best to eat balanced, nutritious meals and exercise regularly to help stay healthy. If you're worried about your weight, talk to your prescriber or primary care provider.
High prolactin levels
Uzedy (risperidone) can cause your prolactin levels to go up. It can lead to symptoms like milky discharge from the nipple and larger breasts. It's also possible to have irregular menstrual periods and sexual problems. Having high prolactin levels for a long time can also make your bones get weaker. Talk to your prescriber or primary care provider if you notice these symptoms while taking Uzedy (risperidone).
Changes in blood pressure and risk of falls
- Risk factors: Older adults | Kidney problems | Liver problems | History of heart attack, heart failure, or heart rhythm problems | Dehydration | Low blood pressure | Taking medications that lower blood pressure
Uzedy (risperidone) can make your blood pressure drop when you stand up from a sitting or lying down position. This is called orthostatic hypotension. It can make you feel dizzy or faint or make you lose your balance. This can lead to falls and possibly injuries.
When getting up, make sure to hold onto something strong and rise slowly. If you feel too dizzy or experience a fall while taking Uzedy (risperidone), talk to your prescriber.
Lower white blood cell count (leading to risk of infection)
- Risk factors: History of low white blood cell counts | Taking other medications that lower white blood cell counts
Uzedy (risperidone) might lower your white blood cell count. White blood cells help fight infection. So having a lower white blood cell count can put you at risk of infections.
People who already have low white blood cell levels might need blood tests often during the first few months of treatment. This helps the care team check that your blood cell count is okay. If it drops too much, you might need to stop taking Uzedy (risperidone).
Call your care team right away if you have any signs of infection while taking Uzedy (risperidone). Look out for signs like fever, chills, weakness, cough, trouble breathing, and a sore throat.
Trouble concentrating and extreme sleepiness
- Risk factors: Age 65 years or older | Taking high doses of Uzedy (risperidone) | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications that can make you sleepy or have trouble thinking
Uzedy (risperidone) can make you very sleepy, which can raise your risk of falls. It can also make thinking, making decisions, reacting fast, and focusing hard.
The risk of these effects is higher if you also take other medications that can cause drowsiness. Examples include benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, and sleep medications.
Make sure you know how Uzedy (risperidone) affects you before driving or doing anything that needs your focus. Talk to your care team right away if you feel too sleepy or if the side effects make it hard to go about your daily life.
Seizures
- Risk factors: History of seizures | Health conditions that make it easier to get seizures
Although it's rare, some people taking other forms of risperidone had seizures. Before starting Uzedy (risperidone), let your prescriber know if you've had seizures before. Also tell them if you have a medical condition that puts you at risk of seizures. They can make sure Uzedy (risperidone) is safe for you.
Trouble swallowing and possible complications
Some people taking antipsychotic medications like Uzedy (risperidone) might have trouble swallowing. If food or liquid accidentally get into your lungs, it can be dangerous. It can cause lead to breathing problems or pneumonia (a lung infection).
Be sure to chew your food well and swallow slowly, especially if your throat or neck area feels tight. Talk to your prescriber if you have any trouble swallowing.
Prolonged and painful erection
Some people have had prolonged and painful erections with other forms of risperidone. Severe cases can sometimes require surgery to treat. If you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours and it's painful, get medical help right away.
Uzedy (risperidone) dosage
Typical dosage for Uzedy (risperidone)
Before taking Uzedy (risperidone), you must first take risperidone by mouth (e.g., tablets).
Your Uzedy (risperidone) dose will then be based on the risperidone dose you were taking before.
-
Schizophrenia
- Injections once a month: The typical dose is 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, or 125 mg injected under the skin by a healthcare professional once every month.
- Injections once every 2 months: The typical dose is 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, or 250 mg injected under the skin by a healthcare professional once every 2 months.
-
Bipolar 1 disorder
- Injections once a month: The typical dose is 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, or 125 mg injected under the skin by a healthcare professional once every month.
- Switching from twice-weekly risperidone injections: You can also switch to Uzedy (risperidone) from a risperidone injection given every 2 weeks (Risperdal Consta or Rykindo). In this case, Uzedy (risperidone) is given as 50 mg, 75 mg, or 100 mg once every month.
Your dose might differ if you have kidney or liver problems. Your dose might also differ if you're taking a medication that interacts with Uzedy (risperidone).
Uzedy (risperidone) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Uzedy (risperidone) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to risperidone or paliperidone
