Risperdal Consta Approved for Bipolar Disorder

Long-acting version of antipsychotic

MONDAY, May 18 (HealthDay News) -- The Janssen Pharmaceuticals drug Risperdal Consta (risperidone) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for people with Bipolar 1 disorder, the drug maker said Monday.

Risperdal Consta is the long-acting version of Risperdal, which was first FDA-approved more than a decade ago and is now sanctioned for Bipolar 1, schizophrenia and autism.

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Type 1 bipolar disorder involves at least one manic episode, with or without a major depressive episode.

Approval of Risperdal Consta for Bipolar 1 was granted as a single therapy, or in combination with lithium or valproate, Janssen said in a news release.

As with similar antipsychotic drugs, the packaging for Risperdal Consta includes a warning that the drug is not approved for elderly people with dementia-related psychosis, and could increase their risk of death.

More information

The FDA has more about this drug's approval history.

-- Scott Roberts