A patient with schizophrenia receives a dose of risperidone [Risperdal Consta] IM. The nurse teaching this patient about this medication will make which statement?
A) "You will experience therapeutic levels of this drug in 1 to 2 weeks."
B) "You will need injections of this drug every 6 weeks."
C) "You will need to take an oral antipsychotic drug for 3 weeks."
D) "You probably will not have extrapyramidal symptoms with this drug."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Risperidone given intramuscularly is a depot preparation used for long-term therapy. Significant release of the drug does not occur until 2 to 3 weeks after injection; therefore, patients must take an oral antipsychotic medication until drug levels are raised. Therapeutic levels are reached 4 to 6 weeks after injection. Patients need injections every 2 weeks. With IM dosing, the incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms is substantial.

A Patient with Schizophrenia Receives a Dose of Risperidone [Risperdal