Posted by Sunnely on October 19, 2000, at 22:32:57
In reply to How Long Does It Take To Get Risperdal Out..., posted by R.Anne on October 18, 2000, at 17:21:17
> of your system? I'm trying to see if it is what was giving me pain in my neck and head muscles and making me have muscular problems all over.
Hi Anne,
Risperidone (Risperdal) has a half life of approximately 24 hours (risperidone + 9-hyroxyrisperidone). The general rule is that, as it takes approximately 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug to achieve a steady-state blood level, it also takes the same period of time to eliminate the drug from the system. Steady state blood level is reached when the amount of drug administered in 24 hours is equal to the amount of drug eliminated in 24 hours, all other factors remaining constant.
The above is true only if certain factors are not altered. For example, no drug-drug interactions involved, liver metabolism is not impaired, and you are not one of the 5-10% of Caucasians (I presume you are) who are genetically deficient of a certain liver enzyme. In this situations, half-life may be prolonged, as well as the clearance of the drug from the system. In effect, one of these factors can turn you into a "poor metabolizer" of a drug. (Risperdal is broken down in the liver by a specific enzyme called CYP2D6. Five to 10% of Caucasians are deficient of this enzyme.)
You mentioned in your later post that you take 2 antidepressants (one being Effexor). Effexor is a weak inhibitor of CYP2D6 and therefore probably not affecting the metabolism of Risperdal. However, Effexor is a "serotonin-boosting" antidepressant. Serotonin can affect the action of dopamine which can lead to some muscle spasm or rigidity. What is the other antidepressant you take? You also mentioned that you have some liver problem. This may be affecting the metabolism of Risperdal and other drugs that you take which can contribute further to your problem (assuming they are the cause).
So in effect, granted your problem is due to the effects of the meds, the culprit may be one or the combination of the above factors I mentioned above.
Just my own 2 cents.
poster:Sunnely
thread:46706
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001012/msgs/46834.html