Is uzedy administered once a month or every two months?

How Often Is UZEDY Administered?

UZEDY (risperidone) extended-release injection is approved for once-monthly or once-every-two-months subcutaneous dosing in adults with schizophrenia. The 50 mg and 100 mg doses are given monthly, while the 25 mg dose is every two months.[1]

Available Doses and Dosing Schedules

• Monthly: 50 mg or 100 mg, injected under the skin in the abdomen or upper arm.
  
• Every two months: 25 mg only, using the same injection sites.
  Patients typically start with a single oral risperidone dose on the day of the first UZEDY injection, then follow the provider's schedule based on response and tolerability. No loading dose is needed.[1]
  
  

Why Two Different Intervals?

The every-two-month option uses a lower 25 mg dose to match the drug's slow-release profile over 8 weeks, extending treatment convenience for stable patients. Monthly higher doses (50-100 mg) provide steady risperidone levels for those needing more frequent monitoring or higher exposure.[1]

Switching from Other Risperidone Forms

Patients on oral risperidone can switch directly to UZEDY monthly dosing on the next scheduled oral dose day. From long-acting injectable risperidone (like Risperdal Consta), transition timing depends on the prior interval—consult the label for specifics to avoid gaps or overlaps.[1]

Who Makes UZEDY and Patent Status?

Teva Pharmaceuticals and MedinCell developed UZEDY, launched in 2023. Key U.S. patents cover the SteadyFlow technology for sustained release, with expiration around 2037-2041 (check DrugPatentWatch.com for updates).[2]

[1] UZEDY Prescribing Information, Teva Pharmaceuticals, April 2023. https://www.uzedyhcp.com/pdf/uzedy-prescribing-information.pdf
[2] DrugPatentWatch.com, UZEDY (risperidone) patents. https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/UZEDY