Don Forte

Uses

Risperidone tablet is used for the treatment of acute and chronic schizophrenic psychoses, and other psychotic conditions, in which positive symptoms (such as hallucinations, delusions, thought disturbances, hostility, suspiciousness), and/or negative symptoms (such as blunted affect, emotional and social withdrawal, poverty of speech) are prominent. Risperidone also alleviate affective symptoms (such as depression, guilt feelings, anxiety) associated with schizophrenia. Risperidone is also effective inmaintaining the clinical improvement during continuation therapy in patients who have shown an initial treatment response. Risperidone is in dicated for the treatment of mania in bipolar disorder.

Don Forte is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Acute Mania, Irritability, Mixed manic depressive episode, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Acute Manic episode, Agitated psychotic state

How Don Forte works

Though its precise mechanism of action is not fully understood, current focus is on the ability of risperidone to inhibit the D2 dopaminergic receptors and 5-HT2A serotonergic receptors in the brain. Schizophrenia is thought to result from an excess of dopaminergic D2 and serotonergic 5-HT2A activity, resulting in overactivity of central mesolimbic pathways and mesocortical pathways, respectively.

D2 dopaminergic receptors are transiently inhibited by risperidone, reducing dopaminergic neurotransmission, therefore decreasing positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as delusions and hallucinations. Risperidone binds transiently and with loose affinity to the dopaminergic D2 receptor, with an ideal receptor occupancy of 60-70% for optimal effect. Rapid dissociation of risperidone from the D2 receptors contributes to decreased risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), which occur with permanent and high occupancy blockade of D2 dopaminergic receptors. Low-affinity binding and rapid dissociation from the D2 receptor distinguish risperidone from the traditional antipsychotic drugs. A higher occupancy rate of D2 receptors is said to increase the risk of extrapyramidal symptoms and is therefore to be avoided.

Increased serotonergic mesocortical activity in schizophrenia results in negative symptoms, such as depression and decreased motivation. The high-affinity binding of risperidone to 5-HT2A receptors leads to a decrease in serotonergic activity. In addition, 5-HT2A receptor blockade results in decreased risk of extrapyramidal symptoms, likely by increasing dopamine release from the frontal cortex, and not the nigrostriatal tract. Dopamine level is therefore not completely inhibited. Through the above mechanisms, both serotonergic and D2 blockade by risperidone are thought to synergistically work to decrease the risk of extrapyramidal symptoms.

Risperidone has also been said to be an antagonist of alpha-1 (α1), alpha-2 (α2), and histamine (H1) receptors.[L1212] Blockade of these receptors is thought to improve symptoms of schizophrenia, however the exact mechanism of action on these receptors is not fully understood at this time.

Dosage

Don Forte dosage

Psychoses: 2 mg in 1-2 divided doses on 1st day then 4 mg in 1-2 divided doses on second day (Slower titration appropriate in some patients); usual dose range 4-6 mg daily; doses above 10 mg daily only if benefit considered to outweigh risk (max. 16 mg daily). Elderly (or in hepatic or renal impairment) initially 1 mg daily in two divided doses increased in steps of 1-2 mg twice daily. Child under 15 years not recommended.

Mania:Initially 2 mg once daily increased if necessary in step of 1 mg daily; usual dose range 1-6 mg daily; Elderly (or in hepatic or renal impairment) initially 1 mg daily in two divided doses increased in steps of 1-2 mg twice daily.

Schizophrenia: Risperidone should be generally administered at 1 mg BID initially, with increases in increments of 1 mg BID on the second and third day, as tolerated, to a target dose of 3 mg BID by the third day. Further dosage adjustments, if indicated, should generally occur at intervals of not less than 1 week. When dosage adjustments are necessary, small dose increments or decrements of 1-2 mg are recommended.

Side Effects

Insomnia, agitation, anxiety, headache, less commonly drowsiness, impaired concentration, fatigue, blurred vision, constipation, nausea and vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, hyperprolactinaemia, urine incontinence, tachycardia, hypertension, edema, rash, rhinitis, cerebrovascular accident, neurtropenia and thrombocytopenia have been reported.

Toxicity

Symptoms of overdose include lethargy, dystonia/spasm, tachycardia, bradycardia, and seizures. LD₅₀=57.7 mg/kg (rat, oral) and 34 mg/kg (rat, intravenous).

Precaution

Special precaution should be taken in case of preexisting cardiovascular diseases, discontinue use if signs and symptoms of tardive dyskinesia occur, renal and hepatic impairment, elderly epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and in pregnancy.

Interaction

Risperidone May antagonize the effects of levodopa and dopamine agonists. Chronic administration with Carbamazepine reduces plasma clearance of Risperidone. Chronic administration with Clozapine may decrease the clearance of Risperidone. Risperidone may enhance the effects of certain antihypertensives.

Volume of Distribution

The volume of distribution of risperidone is approximately 1 to 2 L/kg.

Elimination Route

Well absorbed. The absolute oral bioavailability of risperidone is 70% (CV=25%). The relative oral bioavailability of risperidone from a tablet is 94% (CV=10%) when compared to a solution.

Half Life

3 hours in extensive metabolizers Up to 20 hours in poor metabolizers

Clearance

Risperidone is cleared by the kidneys. Clearance is decreased in the elderly and those with a creatinine clearance (ClCr) between 15-59 mL/min, in whom clearance is decreased by approximately 60%.

Elimination Route

Risperidone is extensively metabolized in the liver. In healthy elderly subjects, renal clearance of both risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone was decreased, and elimination half-lives are prolonged compared to young healthy subjects.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy: Although, in experimental animals, Risperidone did not show direct reproductive toxicity, some indirect, prolactin- and CNS-mediated effects were observed, No teratogenicity effect of Risperidone was noted in any study. The safety of Risperidone for use during human pregnancy has not been established.

Lactation: In animal studies, Risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone are excreted in the milk. It has been demonstrated that Risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone are also excreted in human breast milk. Therefore, women receiving Risperidone should not breast feed.

Contraindication

Risperidone is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to the product.

Acute Overdose

Drowsiness, sedation, tachycardia, hypotension, and extrapyramidal symptoms may occur. In case of severe extrapyramidal symptoms, anticholinergic medication should be administered. Close medical supervision and monitoring should continue until the patient recovers. There is no specific antidote to Risperidone.

Storage Condition

Store in a cool and dry place, protected from light.

Innovators Monograph

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