What is the route of administration for the first dose of Risperdal Consta?

The first dose of Risperdal Consta, an injectable form of risperidone administered for the management of schizophrenia, is given intramuscularly (IM). It's important to note that prior to the first injection of Risperdal Consta, patients are typically stabilized on oral risperidone for a period, which helps ensure appropriate therapeutic levels and minimize initial side effects.

The oral formulation acts as a bridge to give the medication time to reach therapeutic levels while the injectable form provides longer-lasting effects. Therefore, the correct route of administration for the first dose involves starting with oral risperidone, which transitions to the intramuscular route with subsequent doses.

Understanding this protocol emphasizes the importance of patient stabilization and monitoring before initiating treatment with longer-acting injectables.