Risperdal Consta® Injection for Schizophrenia and Bipolar I

This long-acting risperidone injection treats schizophrenia and supports maintenance in Bipolar I disorder. This page explains dosing, storage, safety, and ordering details with US delivery from Canada. You can also compare options if paying without insurance.

What Risperdal Consta Is and How It Works

Risperdal Consta® is a risperidone long-acting intramuscular formulation for ongoing symptom control. YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy in Manitoba. Pharmacists review prescriptions before dispensing. The medicine uses biodegradable microspheres that slowly release risperidone over two weeks. By blocking dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, it can help reduce psychosis symptoms and support mood stability. This Risperdal Consta intramuscular injection kit is given by a healthcare professional, not self-injected. It is not for acute agitation; short-acting therapy may be needed for rapid control.

Each kit typically includes a vial with microspheres, a prefilled syringe of diluent, a vial adapter, and needles. The clinician reconstitutes the suspension, then injects into the deltoid or gluteal muscle. Effects build gradually as the microspheres degrade. Oral risperidone or another antipsychotic is usually continued for the first three weeks after the initial dose to maintain coverage.

For background on antipsychotic therapy and symptom patterns, see Psychosis And Antipsychotics.

Who It’s For

This treatment is indicated for adults with schizophrenia. It is also approved for maintenance treatment of Bipolar I disorder, as monotherapy or with mood stabilizers, per the product label. People with a known hypersensitivity to risperidone or paliperidone should not receive it. It is not approved for elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis due to increased mortality risk with antipsychotics.

Discuss use if you have a history of cardiovascular disease, seizures, diabetes or risk of diabetes, low white blood cell counts, liver or kidney impairment, or Parkinson’s disease or Lewy body dementia. Review pregnancy and breastfeeding considerations with your prescriber.

Learn more about conditions it treats: Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder.

Dosage and Usage

Injections are administered by a healthcare professional into the deltoid or gluteal muscle every two weeks. The prescriber selects the dose based on response and tolerability. After the first injection, oral antipsychotic cover is generally continued for three weeks. Do not attempt to reconstitute or inject the kit yourself. Clinicians follow the reconstitution steps in the official instructions for use, ensuring a uniform suspension before injection.

Your care team may alternate injection sites and avoid massaging the area after administration. If you have questions about timing with other medicines or clinic visits, ask your prescriber to align follow-ups with your treatment plan. The product’s schedule supports structured appointments that can help with adherence.

Strengths and Forms

Kits are supplied in multiple strengths commonly published for long-acting risperidone, including 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 37.5 mg, and 50 mg, with a vial of microspheres and a prefilled diluent syringe. Availability may vary by strength. For current options and the risperidone microspheres injection kit price, see the product page when you are ready to order.

Missed Dose and Timing

If an injection is missed, contact the clinic promptly. The next steps depend on how much time has passed since the last dose and your current regimen. Oral antipsychotic coverage may be needed if gaps occur. Only a healthcare professional should determine when to resume injections. Avoid self-administering any leftover supplies from a previous appointment.

Storage and Travel Basics

Before reconstitution, kits are stored refrigerated according to label directions. Keep them in the original carton and protect from light. Do not freeze. If you travel, coordinate with your clinic and pharmacy so storage remains within label limits until your appointment. For personal handling, keep the kit sealed and upright; do not open or shake it. The clinic will reconstitute immediately before injection.

If you plan extended travel, ask your prescriber about appointment timing and carrying documentation for clinic administration at your destination. The pharmacy uses appropriate packaging while in transit, and you should store the kit as directed once received. Keep all medicines out of reach of children and pets.

Pen Handling and Sharps Disposal

This is not a self-injected pen. A trained professional prepares and gives the injection. Needles and vials are disposed of in an approved sharps container at the clinic. If you ever transport used supplies, follow local regulations and use a puncture-resistant sharps container. Do not recap needles or place them in household trash.

Benefits

This long-acting therapy can help maintain symptom control between visits. Regular clinic dosing may support adherence compared with daily tablets. The two-week schedule allows ongoing assessment by your healthcare team. When used as directed, it can provide steady risperidone exposure with fewer daily reminders.

Side Effects and Safety

• Headache or dizziness
• Somnolence or fatigue
• Nausea, constipation, or dry mouth
• Weight gain or increased appetite
• Increased prolactin-related effects
• Parkinsonism, tremor, or muscle stiffness
• Injection site pain or redness

Serious effects can include tardive dyskinesia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, orthostatic hypotension with syncope, seizures, severe allergic reactions, and significant changes in white blood cell counts. Hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia may occur. Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs have an increased risk of death. Seek urgent care for symptoms of severe rigidity, high fever, confusion, or uncontrollable movements.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Strong CYP2D6 inhibitors such as fluoxetine or paroxetine may raise active risperidone levels; inducers like carbamazepine may lower exposure. Valproate, some antihypertensives, and CNS depressants can require monitoring for additive effects such as sedation or low blood pressure. Levodopa and dopamine agonists may be less effective. Use caution with medications that prolong the QT interval. Avoid alcohol when your clinician advises.

Tell your healthcare professional about all prescription drugs, OTC medicines, and supplements. This includes herbal products like St. John’s wort and any recent changes to smoking status, which can affect some medications.

What to Expect Over Time

Therapeutic effects build gradually. Many people transitioning from tablets are kept on oral antipsychotic coverage for several weeks after the first injection. Injection-site reactions are usually mild and brief. Your clinician may monitor weight, glucose, lipids, movement symptoms, and prolactin-related effects during follow-up. Keep your appointments and report concerns early so the plan can be adjusted if needed.

For additional context about the condition and care pathway, you can read What Is Schizophrenia. It outlines symptoms and general treatment approaches.

Compare With Alternatives

Two other long-acting antipsychotic injections may be considered by prescribers:

• Abilify Maintena: aripiprazole LAI, typically monthly dosing once established.
• Invega Sustenna Injection: paliperidone palmitate, a different release system and dosing schedule.

Choice depends on diagnosis, prior response, side-effect profile, and clinician judgment. Your prescriber will decide which option best fits your history and goals.

Pricing and Access

Canadian pharmacy options can offer value compared with local cash pay. Check the product page for Risperdal Consta Kit Canadian pricing and availability. If your clinician chooses a starter dose, you can also review the Risperidone long-acting injection kit 25 mg price on the same page. We provide clear pricing and a secure checkout experience. For current offers, see our Promotions. Orders Ships from Canada to US after prescription verification.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can vary by strength or manufacturer packaging. If your selected size is unavailable, a prescriber may recommend an appropriate alternative or adjust timing. You can search for Risperdal Consta Kit on our site and review in-stock presentations before placing an order. We do not promise restock dates; please check back or ask your clinic to consider comparable therapies.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

This medicine may suit adults who benefit from scheduled clinic injections and steady exposure. It may be less suitable for those with a history of severe reactions to risperidone or paliperidone, or certain cardiovascular and neurologic conditions. Discuss risks, benefits, and monitoring with your clinician before starting.

To help manage costs, consider multi-month planning with your prescriber and clinic so visits and refill coordination align. Set reminders for upcoming appointments. If you pay cash, compare options and ask about generic alternatives where appropriate. For ordering needs and Risperdal Consta Kit US shipping questions, our team can guide you through uploading your prescription and checking out.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• How will this injection fit into my current treatment plan?
• What monitoring do I need during the first months?
• Which side effects should I report right away?
• How long should I continue oral coverage after the first injection?
• What signs suggest the dose should be adjusted?
• Are there medicines or supplements I should avoid?
• How should we plan clinic visits around travel?

Authoritative Sources

FDA Prescribing Information

DailyMed Official Label

Health Canada Drug Product Database

Side Notes on Access

When you are ready to order, upload your prescription, add the item to cart, and check out. We provide prompt, express, cold-chain shipping with US shipping from Canada. This content is for general information and does not replace medical advice from your prescriber.