Risperdal Consta: Dangerous Drug Given to Elderly Patients

Risperdal is approved only to treat bipolar 1 disorder and schizophrenia patients, not elderly patients with dementia. There have been 16 known deaths from the drug and countless reports of stroke or other heart problems. There would be more cases, but often it is unclear which prescription drug is causing the problem.
In some cases, it may be impossible to determine the cause of death when they are taking from 8 to 12 medications. Many cases go unreported because the drugs side effects are not turned in by nursing staff or doctors. Family members don't always investigate the drugs and have no idea how dangerous they are.

"Elderly Patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with anti psychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo. RISPERDAL^® CONSTA^® (risperidone) is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis." The above statement is taken right from the first paragraph of The Janssen's Companies web site for this drug.

Janssen pharmaceutical company (part of Johnson & Johnson) just paid millions in fines for pushing this drug to pharmacies such as Omnicare.

Omnicare is a network of pharmacies across most of the US and Canada. These pharmacies are the source for drugs to patients in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and residential care facilities in 47 states and Canada.

Omnicare just paid fines of 100 million to the feds for pushing the drugs to elderly patients through attending physicians. Omnicare and Johnson & Johnson practiced unethical and immoral marketing and sales practices that took advantage of the elderly.

Why did the doctors participate in this drug scam promoted by the drug companies? The drug makes elderly patients calm and cooperative with the staff, at the cost of their death in some cases. Many of the drugs given to elderly nursing home patients are to keep them calm or to make sure they sleep at night. Nursing homes have less staff on the night shift, and so patients are all given sleeping pills. I should note that the drug representatives lie to the doctor about the drug. The doctor does not have time to investigate every drug independently. He depends on drug company reps for his education. It is an education motivated by sales, greed and power.

Elderly patients often are prescribed 8 to 14 drugs:

As I wrote in my last article, the elderly are being drugged to death by the system. My father in law is on 12 drugs He is suffering many side effects caused from the medications such as dizziness, diarrhea, and disorientation. He may have to quit playing golf. He is only now ready to go to his doctor, to review what prescriptions could be discontinued. Two of them are not even supposed to be taken together. His view is that his doctor would not give him a drug he didn't need. Millions of fines issued to many different pharmaceutical companies, tells a much different story. Doctors should be fined as well for giving out these drugs. The trust you put into your doctor is not necessarily warranted. You need to be your own advocate and researcher.

Risperdal Costa has dangerous and deadly side effects:

Strokes: Many patients have either had strokes or died from strokes.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: Fever, stiff muscles, shaking, confusion, sweating, changes in pulse, rates or blood pressure, muscle pain and weakness.

Tardive Dyskinesia which is uncontrollable body movements that can be permanent even after a short time of taking the drug and with low doses. There is no known treatment for TD.

Diabetes and high blood sugar: It can cause diabetes or make diabetes much worse. Even with a family history of diabetes, you should not be taking it. The patients risk of developing diabetes while taking this drug goes up by 50 per cent. If they are overweight, this also increases the chances of diabetes.

Fainting or feeling lightheaded: Elderly patients are already unsteady and weak often. This drug increases the risk of falls which is one of the main causes of death in elderly patients.

Blood white cell problems: Low white blood cell counts is one more problem they don't need. If they already have cancer and immune problems, this will finish the job.

Sensitivity to heat; Dehydration is a problem: One of the chief causes of nursing home deaths is dehydration. Most of the elderly don't drink enough water or they are unable to drink water on their own. Dehydration is a grave problem in nursing home patients, without adding a drug that makes it worse.

Seizures: Risperdal increases them or causes them. Diseases like Parkinson's would be made much worse by the use of this drug.

Other side effects include: muscle disturbances, restlessness, tremors, muscle stiffness, and the list go on.

What you can do to protect your loved one:

Family responsibility dictates you must help your elderly parents make sure they are not on dangerous drugs such as the one above. Do not be afraid to challenge the doctor or nursing home staff if you feel a drug is not warranted.

Fight for your elderly parent, because they can't in most cases. If they are still responsible for their care, living on their own, try to get them to see reason. Give them printouts of the drugs side effects. Make sure they read all the side effects and contraindications on the drug statement. Go with them on their doctor's appointments, if possible. Ask the doctors questions and demand answers on why the patient was placed on each drug. Often, because they see more than one doctor, the patient may be on similar medicines for the same problem. Medicines may be in conflict on several levels.

Write the FDA and AMA to show your outrage. There are class action lawsuits going on right now because of injuries and deaths caused by this drug. If you have someone that has been effected by this drug, get involved. If we do not stand up against this, the drug companies and pharmacies will continue to issue drugs that are dangerous and unwarranted.

References:

www.ryar.org/risperdal/

www.risperdalconsta.com/risperdalconsta/bipolar_indication.html

www-personal.umich.edu/~jorilind/risperfacts.html