Introduction
This study guide investigates schizophrenia as a kind of psychosis in which a person cannot distinguish between what is real and what is imagined. Studies show that psychosis and schizophrenia significantly influence the brain’s normal functions, which impairs the capacity to reason (Downing et al., 2019). When symptoms of these illnesses are not under control, patients may find it difficult to perform everyday tasks. This essay presents a study guide for risperidone, used to treat individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and other psychotic diseases.
Study Guide
In studying risperidone, critical details of the drug and its use in managing mental health issues follow specific steps outlined in figure 1 below. Figure 1 shows four sessions, each with a list of topics prioritized and the time allocated for each study session. The color-coded outline in figure 2 lists priority topics in studying risperidone with the color key in table 1. These topics provide the necessary insights into risperidone’s impact in managing psychological diseases.
Psychopharmacology of Risperidone
The psychopharmacology of risperidone shows the correlation between the drug’s impact on the brain and the behavior of patients. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), risperidone is sold under the brand and generic name Risperdal (Evoy et al., 2019). The appropriate FDA indications include schizophrenia in adults and children aged 13 and up and bipolar I acute manic or mixed episodes as monotherapy in adults and children above ten (Evoy et al., 2019). The FDA approved the drug for autism-associated irritability in children above five. Research has demonstrated proper and reliable non-FDA uses, including in older adults with dementia who suffer the risk of death and stroke (Downing et al., 2019). The FDA addresses the management of risperidone based on its class and its mechanism of action.
Drug Classification and Mechanism of Action
The class is based on the chemical composition, which defines the drug’s mechanism of action. According to the FDA, risperidone is classed as an atypical antipsychotic since its pharmacodynamics show that the medicine acts as an antagonism at the serotonin 2A receptor and dopamine D2 receptor (Evoy et al., 2019). Regarding the pharmacokinetics of risperidone, research indicates that the medication is swiftly absorbed after oral administration. In terms of the mechanism of action, risperidone influences chemical messengers in the brain, such as dopamine. The medicine does not cure the patient’s disease but helps manage the patient’s symptoms (Biswas et al., 2022). Regarding appropriate dosing, adults should begin with a beginning dose of 2 to 3 milligrams daily (Biswas et al., 2022). However, the maximum daily dosage is often 6 mg. Older adults above 75 years old may begin treatment with 0.5 mg twice daily (Biswas et al., 2022). The recommended form of administration is oral tables.
Considerations of Use and Dosing in Specific Specialty Populations
In dosing considerations, the patient’s age and drug interactions are essential factors. For children above the age of 13 years old, the starting dosage of risperidone is 0.25 mg per day, but the amount can be decreased or increased depending on the child’s weight (Biswas et al., 2022). For adolescents, the standard dosage ranges from 0.5 to 1 mg (Meyer 2018). For adults with bipolar mania and acute schizophrenia that show signs of suicidal behaviors, a risperidone dosage of 2 mg to 6mg is recommended. For the elderly, a daily dose of 0.75 mg administered at 0.25 mg doses three times daily is sufficient. Pregnant women might require a different dosage, with most researchers recommending 6 mg daily (Biswas et al., 2022). These studies note that the half-life nature of the drug defines the prescriptions of the drug.
Half-life is studied as the decay rate of the drug in the body and is essential for calculating any drug’s excretion rates and steady-state concentrations. The trends delivered that the half-life of risperidone is about 16 hours longer in poor metabolizers compared to extensive metabolizers at 3 hours (Schoretsanitis et al., 2019). Common side effects include high fever that can get to 100.4°F, heavy sweating, stiff muscles, and confusion (Meyer 2018). In the administration of risperidone, some of the contraindications affect people with a high prolactin level, excessive fat in the blood, and patients with deficient levels of granulocytes (Schoretsanitis et al., 2019). Equally, the contraindications include bepridil, bromopride, cisapride, and dronedarone.
Further guidelines require no antidotes in case of more than 15 mg overdose daily. In case of overdose, the intervention involves impact diagnostics, and lab monitoring needs blood tests to check kidney status, liver functioning, and cholesterol levels (Meyer 2018). In such cases, comorbidities critical in diagnosis, treatment, and lab monitoring include breast cancer, diabetes, and high prolactin level (Schoretsanitis et al., 2019). In managing the patient under risperidone medication, some legal and ethical considerations include beneficence, disclosure, and the patient’s right to know their health progress. Pertinent patient education considerations include the need to constantly monitor signs of diabetes mellitus and the importance of adhering to the doctor’s prescription.
Conclusion
Mental health comprises emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal well-being. Treating psychotic disorders influences the patient’s thoughts, beliefs, and behavior. Mental health emerges as a vital part of every step of development, from infancy and adolescence through maturity. Antipsychotic drugs may lessen or treat symptoms of psychosis, such as delusions. The study reveals insights into risperidone as used to relieve symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and irritability caused by mental illnesses.
References
Biswas, M., Vanwong, N., & Sukasem, C. (2022). Pharmacogenomics in clinical practice to prevent risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia in autism spectrum disorder. Pharmacogenomics, 1(1), 3-31
Downing, L., Kim, D. D., Procyshyn, R. M., & Tibbo, P. (2019). Management of sexual adverse effects induced by atypical antipsychotic medication.Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, 44(4), 287-288.
Evoy, K. E., Teng, C., Encarnacion, V. G., Frescas, B., Hakim, J., Saklad, S., & Frei, C. R. (2019). Comparison of quetiapine abuse and misuse reports to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System with other second-generation antipsychotics. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 1(13), 117-257.
Meyer, J. M. (2018). Risperidone extended-release injectable suspension. Current Psychiatry, 17, 23-33.
Schoretsanitis, G., Villasante-Tezanos, A. G., & De Leon, J. (2019). Studies of half-lives of long-acting antipsychotics are needed. Pharmacopsychiatry, 52(01), 45-46. DOI: 10.1055/a-0755-7692