DON 0.5mg Tablet is used in the treatment of schizophrenia (a mental disorder that can result in hallucinations or delusions and also adversely affects a person’s ability to think and behave) and mania.
DON 0.5mg Tablet is taken with or without food, preferably at night. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor and if you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember. It is important that this medication is not stopped suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may worsen your symptoms. However, discontinue this medicine immediately if you experience Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), characterized by fever, muscle rigidity, and altered consciousness or seizures.
Some common side effects of this medicine include insomnia, sedation, somnolence, vomiting, coughing, parkinsonism, headache, and fever. Initially, this medicine may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when you change positions, so it is better to rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. It also causes dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. This medicine may increase your weight but, modifying your lifestyle by having a healthy diet and exercising regularly can reduce this side effect.
You should be cautious while using this medicine as it may increase the risk of developing diabetes, so it is better to monitor glucose regularly. Inform your doctor if you develop any unusual changes in mood or behavior, new or worsening depression, or suicidal thoughts while taking this medicine.
Mania means extremely excited or elevated mood. DON 0.5mg Tablet helps calm the mood and relax the nerves. This stabilises the mood and prevents the symptoms of mania from recurring again. Taking DON 0.5mg Tablet will ensure that you have a better social life and are able to do daily activities more comfortably.
In Treatment of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder in which a person’s thinking ability, feelings and behavior become abnormal. DON 0.5mg Tablet helps restore the chemical imbalances in the brain that are responsible for such changes. It improves thoughts, behavior and enhances the quality of life.
Side effects of DON Tablet
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of DON
Headache
Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
Parkinsonism
Drowsiness
Sedation
Vomiting
Increased saliva production
Cough
Urinary tract infection
How to use DON Tablet
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. DON 0.5mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How DON Tablet works
DON 0.5mg Tablet is an atypical antipsychotic. It works by affecting the levels of chemical messengers (dopamine and serotonin) to improve mood, thoughts and behavior.
Safety advice
Alcohol
UNSAFE
DON 0.5mg Tablet may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
DON 0.5mg Tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
DON 0.5mg Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Driving
UNSAFE
DON 0.5mg Tablet may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney
CAUTION
DON 0.5mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of DON 0.5mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CAUTION
DON 0.5mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of DON 0.5mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
What if you forget to take DON Tablet?
If you miss a dose of DON 0.5mg Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Few studies suggest that low doses of DON 0.5mg Tablet can be used for anxiety. However, do not take this medication without consulting your doctor. The doctor will suggest the exact dose by weighing the possible benefits and risks associated with this medicine. Take the medication as advised by the doctor and follow the instructions as provided.
Can DON 0.5mg Tablet cause psychosis?
DON 0.5mg Tablet is used to treat conditions like psychosis and schizophrenia. The chances of developing medicine-induced psychosis are rare with DON 0.5mg Tablet. However, in a few specific conditions, there are chances where DON 0.5mg Tablet can worsen the psychiatric condition, although it is rare. Do consult your doctor if you do not see any improvement or worsening of symptoms.
Can DON 0.5mg Tablet cause weight gain?
Yes, DON 0.5mg Tablet can cause significant weight gain. You should monitor your weight regularly and if there is significant weight gain then you should report your doctor immediately.
Can I drive vehicles while taking DON 0.5mg Tablet?
DON 0.5mg Tablet sometimes can cause dizziness, tiredness, and vision problems which can affect the ability of a person to drive and use heavy machines. Hence, the patients on DON 0.5mg Tablet are advised not to drive or operate machinery without consulting the doctor.
Can I take my medicines for epilepsy while taking DON 0.5mg Tablet?
You should not stop taking your anti-epileptic medicines while taking other medications. Some antiepileptic medications like Carbamazepine, phenytoin may alter the blood levels of DON 0.5mg Tablet and therefore special caution should be ensured while taking these medications. The dose of DON 0.5mg Tablet should be adjusted as needed while taking along with antiepileptic drugs. If you start or stop taking such medicines you may need a different dose of DON 0.5mg Tablet.
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References
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Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1220-22.
Risperidone. County Cork, Ireland: Janssen Pharmaceutical; 1993. [Accessed 22 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006. Risperidone. [Updated 2019 Oct 23]. [Accessed 20 Feb. 2020] (online) Available from: