Frequently Asked Questions about Schizophrenia

1. What is schizophrenia?

2. What are some symptoms of schizophrenia?

3. What causes schizophrenia?

4. What is RISPERDAL® (risperidone)?

5. What are the available doses of RISPERDAL?

6. What is RISPERDAL® M-TAB® (risperidone)?

7. How does RISPERDAL work?

8. When can I expect to feel better with RISPERDAL?

9. What side effects might I encounter with RISPERDAL?

10. Should RISPERDAL be taken with or without food?

11. How should RISPERDAL be stored?

12. Can RISPERDAL Oral Solution be taken with all beverages?

13. Does RISPERDAL contain latex?

14. Does RISPERDAL contain gluten?

15. Are RISPERDAL Tablets kosher?

16. Does RISPERDAL contain aspartame?

17. Does RISPERDAL contain phenylalanine?

18. Is there a patient assistance program for RISPERDAL?

1. What is schizophrenia?

   Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that impairs a person's thinking, judgment, interpretation of the world around them and ability to function in society. As a result of their inability to correctly interpret the world around them, people with schizophrenia may react inappropriately. They can feel frightened, nervous and confused.

   While most people with schizophrenia are not violent to others, they are likely to hurt themselves. Suicide is common among people with schizophrenia. If someone attempts suicide or talks about it, you should contact a doctor immediately.

   For more information on schizophrenia, please visit the National Institute of Mental Health Web site.

   

2. What are some symptoms of schizophrenia?

   People with schizophrenia may experience different types of symptoms - and not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Some people may have only a few symptoms, while others may have many. Generally, these symptoms fall into two different categories: "positive" symptoms and "negative" symptoms. A person with positive symptoms exhibits signs of "added" experiences or behaviors. When a person demonstrates a "lack of" or "reduction" of experiences or behaviors, he or she may have negative symptoms.

   Positive symptoms may include:

   • Delusions - belief in ideas that are obviously false

   • Hallucinations - seeing or hearing things that do not exist

   • Agitation - nervousness

   • Paranoia - suspiciousness or unrealistic fears

   • Impulsiveness - taking action without really thinking about what one is doing

   • Disorganized thinking - unclear or confused thoughts

   Negative symptoms may include:

   • Lack of drive or initiative - daily activities cannot be accomplished (e.g., bathing)

   • Social withdrawal - isolate oneself from friends, family, and the public

   • Apathy - lack of feeling or emotion

   • Emotional unresponsiveness - having no feeling towards anything, the person would not cry if sad, show anger if mad, or smile/laugh when happy

   • Anhedonia - diminished ability to experience pleasure

   You may have heard the term "psychotic" used in association with schizophrenia. A psychotic episode is a state of mental impairment, during which a person experiences hallucinations and/or delusions.

   

3. What causes schizophrenia?

   Although schizophrenia has been extensively researched, no single cause has been identified. Schizophrenia is a complex illness. Scientists have found that some people with schizophrenia have abnormalities in the structure of their brain, while others have an imbalance (too many or too few) of the chemicals that transmit messages in the brain. These chemicals are thought to affect emotions, motivation, movement, mood, sleep, and appetite. While schizophrenia is not caused by stress, psychological conflicts or drug use can trigger an episode in a person prone to schizophrenia.

   Like high blood pressure and heart disease, schizophrenia can run in families. A person who has a relative with schizophrenia is more likely to develop the illness than someone who does not.

   With medication and the proper counseling and social support, many people can learn to live with schizophrenia and lead independent and full lives.

   

4. What is RISPERDAL^® (risperidone)?

   RISPERDAL is a prescription medication that has been proven effective in treating the symptoms of schizophrenia and approved for delaying relapse in patients with this disorder. RISPERDAL can help control the positive and negative symptoms that are part of schizophrenia and with your total treatment plan can help you get on the road to improvement.

   Medications known as conventional antipsychotics were introduced in the 1950s and are still in use today. RISPERDAL is a newer medication, called an atypical antipsychotic.

   Patients who take RISPERDAL as prescribed may manage their symptoms more effectively. With medication, psychotherapy and a strong support system, people with schizophrenia may lead independent and full lives.

   In addition to the effective control of schizophrenia symptoms, RISPERDAL provides a convenient solution for people who have trouble swallowing pills. RISPERDAL is available in a variety of formulations, including rapidly disintegrating tablets (called RISPERDAL M-TAB) and oral liquid.

   

5. What are the available doses of RISPERDAL?

   RISPERDAL^® (risperidone) is available in a variety of formulations and strengths. This allows your doctor to prescribe the formulation and dose that's most appropriate and convenient for you.

   RISPERDAL is available as:

   • Rapidly disintegrating tablets, known as RISPERDAL M-TAB - 5 strengths
     

   • Oral tablets - 6 strengths
     

   • Oral liquid
     

   

6. What is RISPERDAL^® M-TAB^® (risperidone)?

   RISPERDAL M-TAB is a rapidly disintegrating tablet formulation of RISPERDAL with added convenience:

   • Disintegrates in the mouth within seconds
   • Easy to swallow (does not require a beverage to be taken)
   • Mint flavored
   • Provides flexible dosing options

   * RISPERDAL M-TAB contains phenylalanine. It should not be taken by people who have been diagnosed with PKU (phenylketonuria).

   

7. How does RISPERDAL work?

   The symptoms of schizophrenia are thought to be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain (either too high or too low). Although it is unclear exactly how RISPERDAL works, it seems to help balance the chemicals in the brain. While it is not a cure, RISPERDAL can help many people manage the symptoms of schizophrenia.

   

8. When can I expect to feel better with RISPERDAL?

   For some people, RISPERDAL can start working soon after initiating therapy. However, it may take several weeks to get the full benefit of the medication.

   

9. What side effects might I encounter with RISPERDAL?

   RISPERDAL® (risperidone) has some possible side effects that you should know about.

   If you have any side effects with RISPERDAL, or feel you're not getting better, please talk to your healthcare professional.

   Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo. RISPERDAL® (risperidone) is not approved for the treatment of patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis.

   The most common side effects that may occur with RISPERDAL are: somnolence, increased appetite, fatigue, rhinitis, upper respiratory tract infection, vomiting, coughing, urinary incontinence, increased saliva, constipation, fever, tremors, muscle stiffness, abdominal pain, anxiety, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, rash, restlessness, and indigestion.

   Studies suggest an increased risk of elevated blood sugar-related side effects, and sometimes potentially fatal, in patients treated with this class of medications, including RISPERDAL. Some people may need regular blood sugar testing.

   Some people taking RISPERDAL may feel faint or lightheaded when they stand up or sit up too quickly. By standing up or sitting up slowly and following your doctor's dosing instructions, this side effect may be reduced or it may go away over time.

   You may have heard the term "extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)." These are usually reversible movement disorders or muscle disturbances, such as restlessness, tremors, and muscle stiffness. Some people taking RISPERDAL have these side effects. In clinical studies, these side effects were uncommon at lower doses, but did increase with higher doses. If you have these symptoms, talk to your doctor.

   You may have heard the term "tardive dyskinesia." These are potentially irreversible, uncontrollable, slow or jerky facial or body movements that can be caused by all medications of this type (antipsychotics). If you have these symptoms, talk to your doctor. Only your doctor should adjust your dose or stop your medication.

   There are some medications that interact with RISPERDAL. Please inform your doctor and pharmacist of all medications or supplements that you are taking.

   

10. Should RISPERDAL be taken with or without food?

    RISPERDAL may be taken conveniently with or without food.

    

11. How should RISPERDAL be stored?

    RISPERDAL M-TAB, RISPERDAL Tablets, and RISPERDAL Oral Solution should be stored at controlled room temperature (59-77°F/15-25°C), away from children, and should be protected from light and moisture. RISPERDAL Oral Solution should be protected from light and freezing temperatures.

    

12. Can RISPERDAL Oral Solution be taken with all beverages?

    No. RISPERDAL is compatible with water, orange juice, coffee, and low-fat milk. RISPERDAL Oral Solution should not be taken with tea or cola because these beverages will make the medication less effective. Avoid alcohol while taking RISPERDAL.

    

13. Does RISPERDAL contain latex?

    No. RISPERDAL Oral Solution, Tablets and M-TAB do not contain latex. Janssen, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. cannot, however, discount any inadvertent exposure of our products (for example, contact with latex gloves) during manufacturing or processing operations.

    

14. Does RISPERDAL contain gluten?

    Patients who must adhere to a gluten-free diet must avoid products that contain wheat, rye, oats, or barley. RISPERDAL Tablets and RISPERDAL Oral Solution contain none of these ingredients. However, gluten may be a component of the protein present in cornstarch (which is approximately 0.3% protein), which is contained in RISPERDAL Tablets. RISPERDAL M-TAB does contain bovine - animal source gelatin, plus two synthetic carbohydrates but these components do not have gluten content such as what is contained in wheat-based ingredients.

    

15. Are RISPERDAL Tablets kosher?

    RISPERDAL Tablets contain no alcohol but do contain animal products in the form of lactose (from cow's milk). They also contain cornstarch. RISPERDAL M-TAB contains gelatin that is bovine-sourced (i.e. from cattle) and is certified to be BSE-free.

    

16. Does RISPERDAL contain aspartame?

    Only RISPERDAL M-TAB contains aspartame.

    

17. Does RISPERDAL contain phenylalanine?

    Only RISPERDAL M-TAB contains phenylalanine. RISPERDAL Tablets and Oral Solution do not contain phenylalanine.

    

18. Is there a patient assistance program for RISPERDAL?

    Yes, Janssen, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. provides assistance with RISPERDAL to patients who, because of financial burden and lack of prescription drug coverage, may have difficulty paying for their treatment.

    The Patient Assistance Program is designed to make our products available free of charge to persons who have a medical need and meet specific financial criteria. It is important to note that our patient assistance programs provide assistance when no source of prescription drug coverage is available.

    Please visit access2wellness.com.