Side effects of risperidone

These common side effects of risperidone may affect up to 1 in 10 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

If you have trouble getting to sleep at night, try taking your medicine in the morning if you've been taking it at night. You could also try not to have a big meal, smoking or drinking alcohol, tea or coffee in the evening.

Watching television or using your mobile phone before going to bed may also stop you getting to sleep. Instead, try to relax for an hour before bedtime.

If your sleep does not get better, talk to your doctor.

If not sleeping at night makes you feel sleepy during the day, do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery.

As your body gets used to risperidone, this side effect should wear off. If it does not go after a few weeks, speak to your doctor.

Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller.

Talk to your doctor if headaches are severe or do not go away.

Try to eat a healthy balanced diet without increasing your portion sizes. Do not snack on foods that contain a lot of calories, such as crisps, cakes, biscuits and sweets. If you feel hungry between meals, eat fruit and vegetables and low-calorie foods.

Regular exercise will also help to keep your weight stable.

Try to rest and relax. It can help to eat and drink slowly and have smaller and more frequent meals. Putting a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may also help.

If you are in a lot of pain, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.

Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. It might help to take your risperidone after you've had a meal or snack.

If you're being sick, try having small, frequent sips of water or squash to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.

Do not take any other medicines to treat vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.

If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you're being sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

Get more fibre into your diet, such as fresh fruit and vegetables and cereals. Try to drink several glasses of water or squash every day. Try to exercise more regularly, for example, by going for a daily walk or run. If this does not help, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.

Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor. Speak to a doctor if symptoms get worse or last longer than a week.

If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you have severe, watery diarrhoea or any diarrhoea that lasts for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

These can be signs of hormone changes.

Speak to your doctor if these side effects last longer than a few days. Your doctor may be able to change your medicine.

Keep taking the medicine but tell your doctor if the advice on how to cope does not help and the side effects bother you or do not go away.