Uzedy (Risperidone LAI): How This Long-Acting Injection Works, Monthly vs Every-2-Month Dosing, and When Telehealth Helps

Last updated: August 26, 2026

Uzedy (risperidone) is a long-acting, extended-release injectable form of risperidone. A clinician injects it under the skin of the abdomen or upper arm. The U.S. label lists it for schizophrenia in adults and, after an October 2025 expansion, as monotherapy or add-on to lithium or valproate for maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder in adults. It is not a daily pill. It is not a first-line self-start medicine. You establish that you tolerate oral risperidone first, then a healthcare professional gives the shot on a once-monthly or (for schizophrenia) once-every-2-months schedule.

See if online depression or mood care may be a fit →

Browse Klarity condition pages →

TLDR

• Uzedy is subcutaneous risperidone LAI (not IM like Risperdal Consta).
• FDA first approved it for adult schizophrenia in 2023; bipolar I maintenance was added in October 2025.
• DailyMed setid 734eb776; label updated October 9, 2025. Packager: Teva.
• Schizophrenia conversion from oral 2-5 mg/day maps to 50-125 mg monthly or 100-250 mg every 2 months.
• Bipolar I uses monthly 50, 75, or 100 mg only (oral 2-4 mg equivalents).
• Boxed warning: increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis. Not approved for that use.
• Contraindicated if you are allergic to risperidone, paliperidone, or any Uzedy component.
• Telehealth can support evaluation, oral risperidone trials, labs, and follow-up. A licensed clinician still has to give the injection in person.
• Coverage may vary by plan. Verify benefits before you book. Klarity has 2,000+ licensed providers.

What is Uzedy?

Uzedy is risperidone in a ready-to-use, extended-release injectable suspension. The DailyMed UZEDY label (updated October 9, 2025) describes single-dose prefilled syringes at 50 mg/0.14 mL, 75 mg/0.21 mL, 100 mg/0.28 mL, 125 mg/0.35 mL, 150 mg/0.42 mL, 200 mg/0.56 mL, and 250 mg/0.7 mL. A healthcare professional injects it subcutaneously in the abdomen or upper arm. Do not give it by any other route.

Risperidone itself first reached the U.S. market in 1993 (the label’s “Initial U.S. Approval” date). Oral risperidone is widely available as Risperdal and generics. Uzedy is the Teva/Medincell long-acting subcutaneous product. Teva’s October 10, 2025 release notes the original U.S. schizophrenia approval in 2023 and the later bipolar I expansion.

It is not a controlled substance (DailyMed DEA schedule: none). It is a prescription atypical antipsychotic. It does not replace emergency care, inpatient psychiatry, or crisis services.

How Uzedy works

Risperidone blocks dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, among other receptor effects. That profile can reduce hallucinations, delusions, and mood instability when a clinician judges it appropriate. Uzedy uses an extended-release depot so plasma risperidone stays in range between clinic visits instead of depending on a daily tablet.

The medicine still carries the same class risks as other risperidone products: movement effects, metabolic change, prolactin elevation, orthostasis, and the boxed dementia-related psychosis warning. A long-acting shot does not make those risks disappear. It changes how you take the drug and how long it stays in your system if you stop.

FDA-labeled uses

Per DailyMed indications (major change October 2025):

• Schizophrenia in adults.
• Bipolar I disorder in adults: maintenance treatment as monotherapy or as adjunctive therapy to lithium or valproate.

Uzedy is not approved for dementia-related psychosis. Off-label uses require a documented clinical rationale and are not a substitute for the label.

Typical dosing (label ranges)

Always follow the dose your prescriber writes. DailyMed highlights:

• Establish tolerability with oral risperidone before the first Uzedy injection.
• A healthcare professional gives the subcutaneous injection in the abdomen or upper arm.

Schizophrenia conversion from oral risperidone

• Oral 2 mg/day → 50 mg monthly or 100 mg every 2 months
• Oral 3 mg/day → 75 mg monthly or 150 mg every 2 months
• Oral 4 mg/day → 100 mg monthly or 200 mg every 2 months
• Oral 5 mg/day → 125 mg monthly or 250 mg every 2 months

Bipolar I (monthly only)

• Oral 2 mg/day → 50 mg monthly
• Oral 3 mg/day → 75 mg monthly
• Oral 4 mg/day → 100 mg monthly

Switch from a twice-monthly intramuscular risperidone LAI (for example Risperdal Consta): start Uzedy as a once-monthly injection at least 5 weeks after the last IM dose. DailyMed maps 25 mg IM every 2 weeks to 50 mg Uzedy monthly, 37.5 mg to 75 mg, and 50 mg to 100 mg. Mayo Clinic describes the same 5-week timing when switching from Risperdal Consta to Uzedy.

Only your clinician can set your dose. Do not convert numbers yourself.

Warnings, contraindications, and side effects

Boxed warning: Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs have an increased risk of death. Uzedy is not approved for that use. Cerebrovascular events (stroke, TIA) are also more common in that group.

Do not use Uzedy if you have known hypersensitivity to risperidone, paliperidone, or any Uzedy ingredient.

DailyMed also flags neuroleptic malignant syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, metabolic changes (glucose, lipids, weight), hyperprolactinemia (updated January 2025), orthostatic hypotension and syncope, leukopenia/neutropenia/agranulocytosis, cognitive and motor impairment, seizures, and priapism. Third-trimester pregnancy exposure may cause extrapyramidal or withdrawal symptoms in newborns.

Common risperidone adverse reactions in schizophrenia trials (≥5% and greater than placebo) include parkinsonism, akathisia, dystonia, tremor, sedation, dizziness, anxiety, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, increased appetite, weight gain, fatigue, rash, and upper respiratory symptoms. For bipolar disorder, DailyMed lists weight increase (5% in a monotherapy trial) and tremor/parkinsonism (≥10% in an adjunctive trial). Injection-site reactions with Uzedy that met the ≥5% and greater-than-placebo bar were pruritus and nodule.

Strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (fluoxetine, paroxetine) can raise risperidone levels. Strong CYP3A4 inducers (carbamazepine) can lower them. Report suspected reactions to Teva at 1-888-483-8279 or FDA MedWatch.

What telehealth can and cannot do

Online psychiatry can often handle history, diagnosis review, oral risperidone start or switch, metabolic labs, side-effect check-ins, and prior authorization paperwork. Klarity’s network includes 2,000+ licensed providers. Same-day visits are available in many states.

Uzedy itself is a clinic injection. Telehealth does not replace the person who draws up and gives the shot, or the in-person visit if you become medically unstable, suicidal, or catatonic. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988.

See if online depression or mood care may be a fit →

Insurance and cost

Whether a plan may cover Uzedy depends on the formulary, specialty pharmacy rules, site-of-care policies, and prior authorization. Coverage varies. Patients should verify benefits before booking. Do not assume a commercial, Medicaid, or Medicare Advantage plan will pay the same way. Manufacturer copay cards, if any, usually exclude government plans.

How Uzedy compares with other options

Oral risperidone is the same molecule with daily pills or solution. Perseris and Rykindo are other risperidone LAI brands with different routes and intervals. Invega products use paliperidone (risperidone’s active metabolite). Abilify Maintena, Aristada, and Abilify Asimtufii are aripiprazole LAIs. Your clinician matches the molecule, interval, and injection site to your history, not to a search ranking.

Related Klarity explainers include Risperdal (risperidone) and Invega (paliperidone) when those pages match your questions.

FAQ

Is Uzedy the same as Risperdal?

Same active ingredient (risperidone). Different product: Uzedy is a long-acting subcutaneous injection. Risperdal is typically an oral tablet, solution, or ODT. Do not swap them without a conversion plan.

Can I inject Uzedy at home?

The label says a healthcare professional administers it. It is not a self-injection product in the DailyMed highlights.

Does Uzedy treat bipolar I?

As of the October 2025 label update, yes for maintenance treatment in adults, as monotherapy or with lithium or valproate. That is separate from the original 2023 schizophrenia indication.

How often do I get the shot?

Monthly for bipolar I. Monthly or every 2 months for schizophrenia, based on the oral-equivalent table.

Will insurance cover Uzedy?

It may. Plans often require prior authorization and proof you tolerated oral risperidone. Verify your benefits. This is not a coverage guarantee.

When to get urgent help

Seek emergency care for high fever with rigidity, uncontrolled movements, severe allergic reaction, prolonged erection, fainting, or thoughts of self-harm. Call 988 for a mental-health crisis. Call 911 if you are not safe.

This article is education, not personal medical advice. A licensed clinician who knows your history decides whether Uzedy or another option is appropriate.

Browse Klarity condition pages →