What is the difference between Perseris and Risperdal Consta?

There are several key differences between Risperdal Consta and Perseris, such as medical uses, dosing, and side effects:

Risperdal Consta (risperidone injection)

Risperdal Consta (risperidone injection) from Janssen Pharmaceuticals is a long-acting, atypical antipsychotic injectable form of risperidone approved for the treatment of both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

• The recommended dose of Risperdal Consta given by a health care provider is 25 mg every 2 weeks by deep intramuscular (IM) injection in the deltoid area (upper arm) or gluteal area (buttocks). Some patients may benefit from higher doses of 37.5 mg or 50 mg. The maximum dose should not exceed 50 mg every 2 weeks.
• Oral risperidone (or another antipsychotic medication) should be given with the first injection of Risperdal Consta, and continued for 3 weeks (and then discontinued) to ensure adequate therapeutic plasma concentrations from Risperdal Consta.
• Risperdal Consta is available in dosage strengths of 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 37.5 mg, or 50 mg risperidone.
• The most common side effects with Risperdal Consta in patients with schizophrenia (≥ 5%) were headache, parkinsonism, dizziness, akathisia (restlessness), fatigue, constipation, dyspepsia (heartburn), sedation, weight gain, pain in extremity, and dry mouth.

Perseris (risperidone injection)

Perseris (risperidone injection) from Indivior Inc. is an extended-release injectable suspension of risperidone, but it is only indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.

• Perseris is given by a health care professional as a 90 mg or 120 mg subcutaneous (SQ) injection once monthly in the abdomen only; do not exceed these monthly doses.
• Clinically relevant initial blood levels of Perseris are reached 4 to 6 hours after the first injection; supplemental oral risperidone or a loading dose is not recommended.
• Perseris injection comes in 90 mg and 120 mg strengths.
• The once monthly dose schedule (instead of every 2 weeks) may help patients with schizophrenia adhere to their regimen more closely.
• The most common side effects (≥5%) with Perseris in patients with schizophrenia were increased weight, sedation/somnolence, musculoskeletal pain, injection site pain and skin reddening at injection site.

To review the complete differences between Risperdal Consta and Perseris refer to their product labeling.