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Risperdal (risperidone)
Overall Rating
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5.44
Rating:

5.44

Side Effects
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5.00
Pricing
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4.70
Average Price: $4.75 Thumbs up Recommended By
58% of reviewers (of 26 reviews)
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Risperdal®

Generic Name: Risperidone ris-PER-i-done

Drug Class: Atypical Antipsychotics

 

Contents

 

Description
Risperidone is a antipsychotic medication and is used to treat patients that suffer from delusions, hallucinations, unorganized thought and hostility. This is a psychiatric medication that works by helping ot restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain (neurotransmitters).
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General Information
This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. 

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Proper use of this medicine
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. This medicine should be taken continually, even if you are feeling better. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Do not take more or less of this medicine that prescribed. Do not share this medicine with other people. This medicine may come in a blister pack. Do not remove the tablet fro the packaging until you are ready to take the dose. Tear apart the package at the perforation. Bend the corner of the package where directed and peel back the foil to show the tablet. Do not try to push the tablet through the foil, this can damage the tablet. Remove the tablet from the foil package with dry hands and place it immediately on your tongue. Do not split or chew the tablet. The tablet will melt on your tongue in a few seconds. After the tablet melts on your tongue, it can be swallowed with or without water or liquid.
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Missed Dose
Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses.
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Storage
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
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Possible Side Effects
    • This medicine can cause the following side effects:
      • constipation
      • dizziness
      • drowsiness
      • dry mouth
      • headache
      • weight gain
      • restlessness
      • mild thirst
      • frequent urination
      • drowsiness
      • fine hand tremor
      • mild nausea
    • Check with your doctor AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience diarrhea, vomiting, unsteadiness, difficulty walking, or unusual muscle weakness.
    • This medicine may increase blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Diabetic patients should be cautious of this and regularly check their blood sugar.
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Warnings/Precautions
    • Several days to weeks may pass before you feel the the full effects of this medicine.
    • Before taking this medicine, notify your doctor if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies to medications.
    • Before using this medicine, tell your doctor if you have a history of:
      • liver disease
      • kidney disease
      • low blood pressure
      • seizures
      • difficulty swallowing (especially in patients with dementia or Alzheimer's disease)
      • stroke
      • dehydration
      • breast cancer
      • diabetes
    • Alcoholic beverages can increase the effects of this medicine and should be avoided.
    • Be cautious when driving or performing other hazardous activities. This medicine can impair judgment.
    • This medication contains aspartame. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU) or any other condition where you must restrict your intake of aspartame (or phenylalamine), consult with your doctor before taking this medicine.
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Overdose
Seek medical attention immediately. U.S. residents can call the national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
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Drug Interactions
    • Let your doctor know if you are taking any of the following types of medications:
      • antacids
      • antihistamines
      • diet pills
      • benztropine (Cogentin)
      • bromocriptine (Parlodel)
      • carbamazepine (Tegretol)
      • dicyclomine (Bentyl)
      • fluoxetine (Prozac)
      • guanethidine (Ismelin)
      • lithium
      • meperidine (Demerol)
      • methyldopa (Aldomet)
      • phenytoin (Dilantin)
      • propranolol (Inderal)
      • sedatives
      • trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
      • valproic acid (Depakene)
      • cold medications
      • medications for depression
      • vitamins and herbs
    • Inform your doctor of all the medications you may use (both prescription and nonprescription), especially if you are taking any of the following:
      • anti-depressant
      • anti-anxiety drugs
      • sparfloxacin
      • grepafloxacin
      • guanethidine
      • guanadrel
      • lithium
      • metrizamide
      • cabergoline
      • tranquilizers
      • barbiturates
      • sleeping pills
      • narcotic pain
        medication (e.g. codeine)
      • other medicines that make you drowsy.
    • Many cough-and-cold products contain ingredients that may add a drowsiness effect. Before you use cough-and-cold medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

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Pregnancy/Nursing
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. For women: since this medicine is excreted in human breast milk, you should NOT breastfeed while taking this medicine.
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More Information

There may be a slightly increased risk of serious, possibly fatal side effects (e.g., stroke, heart failure) when this medicaion is used in elderly patients with dementia. Discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
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Copyright 2006 PharmClips, Inc. All rights reserved. www.pharmclips.com
This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This is general information and should not in any event be construed as specific instructions for individual patients. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. The reader is advised to check with their health care provider before making any changes in their drug regimen.



Last reviewed:

  On 8 Aug 2006

  By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.





 

risperdal

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Sarah116
Grand Poohbah


Registered: August 2006
Posts: 1623
Review Date: Tue August 8, 2006 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 8 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): -
Negative aspects of this (cons): -

It was nice I actually started to feel better, would love to try it again. (no longer taking reason not specified)
AngelwithOCD
Member


Registered: July 2006
Posts: 40
Review Date: Thu August 10, 2006 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: $6.00| Rating: 5 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): can help calm you
Negative aspects of this (cons): makes you drowsy, can cause bad reactions

It calmed me down some, and helped me sleep at night, but it also made me have bad muscle spasms and other bad nuerologic reactions that could have been permanent if they were not caught in time.
mspearl
New Member

Registered: September 2006
Posts: 4
Review Date: Wed September 6, 2006 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 3 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros):
Negative aspects of this (cons):

Causes problems with blood sugar levels,noticable If you are just borderline diabetic.Getting lightheaded and passing out,have trouble taking enough medicine to be effective without It having a drastic effect on your blood sugar.Not worth It....
candybear
Grand Magnate


Registered: April 2004
Posts: 4635
Review Date: Fri September 8, 2006 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: $6.25| Rating: 6 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): takes the edge off extreme emotions
Negative aspects of this (cons): major appetite increase

I was on Risperdal for years and had a really good time with it. It's known to make some people excessively sleepy, but I never had a single side effect. It never took much to settle me down (I took it to help with self-harm urges).

EDITED 3/1/07 TO ADD:

I was taken off Risperdal in September 2006 and put back on it in January 2007. It went from working beautifully for me, with no side effects, to working sort of OK but causing huge weight gain (which I hadn't had the first time around).

Until my employer switched to new prescription insurance, I had to pay the entire cost upfront and get reimbursed -- $188 for a 30-day supply of 2 mg pills. I have to say, I don't like it THAT much anymore....but it did knock out the horribly manic episode I was having.

However, I don't feel as well on it as I did the first time, and the price is still prohibitive (now I have to pay 20% of the total, which is $75 a month for this stuff!).

eskielover
Magnate


Registered: October 2004
Posts: 2482
Review Date: Thu September 14, 2006 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 3 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros):
Negative aspects of this (cons): effected blood pressure

I was given this as resperidone while hospitalized at UCLA. They gave me a small dose at night & after waking up in the morning, I passed out from what was thought to be a drop in my blood pressure. That ended that treatment immediately.
AlteredState01
Poohbah


Registered: October 2006
Posts: 1059
Review Date: Tue October 10, 2006 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 3 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): Very calming
Negative aspects of this (cons): Weight gain

I have tried many anti-psychotics and they all have the same effect - slowed me down to the point of being in a constant vegetative state (even at low dosages).

Rapid weight gain experience (again, without change in diet).

I WON'T TAKE ANYTHING THAT WILL MAKE ME GAIN WEIGHT - I HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS ALREADY.

prodigiousgamer
Member


Registered: October 2006
Posts: 51
Review Date: Sun October 22, 2006 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 2 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): none
Negative aspects of this (cons): moderate to severe side effects including drowsiness and lethargy

i did not like this medication at all. it had awful side effects including lethargy, drowsiness, and vertigo. i would not recommend these treatment to anybody based on my personal experiences. i experienced only a slight reduction of my anxiety due to the lethargy which the medicine caused.
ccpaz
Visitor


Registered: October 2006
Posts: 3
Review Date: Tue October 24, 2006 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 3 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): lost my appetite
Negative aspects of this (cons): disorganized thinking, irritability, i think it made my body fluid smell bad

I only took this for a week, right after getting off lithium. During that week I spit out everything I ate. While taking the medication I could smell my brother (he is skitzophrenic so all the medication he takes makes his sweat smell rancid) and I didn't like that. My irritability level was at its peak, I was very "snappy" and was letting out random bursts of pissed and i was very disgusted with my mood in general. not a great time.
I can't really tell how it was considering that during the short time I took them, my friend killed herself, i was upset I had gained 15 pounds, and a couple of the nights I drank alcohol.. and I rarely drink.
kim7
Visitor

Registered: November 2006
Posts: 8
Review Date: Sat November 4, 2006 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 0 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros):
Negative aspects of this (cons):

IT MADE ME LACTATE.
Outtolunch
Junior Member


Registered: November 2006
Posts: 11
Review Date: Sat November 18, 2006 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: $2.00| Rating: 9 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): took away the delusions and hallucinations, no weight gain, could sleep
Negative aspects of this (cons): prolactin levels through the roof, stopped menstruating

I really liked this med for what it did for me.
I was myself again, finally. Unfortunately I was forced to stop taking it due to its prolactin increases which became unhealthy for me. I was sad to change from it. I recommend it, however, to others who have no problems with increased prolactin.
splitimage
Grand Poohbah


Registered: March 2006
Posts: 1641
Review Date: Sun February 18, 2007 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 7 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): really helped with dissociation & paranoia
Negative aspects of this (cons): lactation sucks & threw my menstrual cycle completely out of whack

Despite the side effects It really helps me stay in reality.
findebsoon
Member


Registered: June 2006
Posts: 85
Review Date: Thu February 22, 2007 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 7 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): eased my paranoia and a calming affect.
Negative aspects of this (cons): quite abit of lethargy and sleepy

i found after being on a long term anti-psychotic like flupinethixol and then
a newer med, serequol, the risperdol was added and it was an easy chioce.
Stacy3601
Member


Registered: February 2007
Posts: 72
Review Date: Wed February 28, 2007 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 8 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): helped with urges
Negative aspects of this (cons): bad side effect

i actually liked this medicine until i went to a higher dose and started lactating... i found this medicine very helpful
Dave21
Visitor

Registered: March 2007
Posts: 2
Review Date: Sat March 3, 2007 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 10 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): apperantly clean,clear quite effective treatment with hardly any side effects (at all.)
Negative aspects of this (cons): some weight gain.

I felt since recovering from Schizophrenia this has been an very effective treatment (for me anyways). In fact symptoms are next to nil and this drug has actual worked clearly and effectively.. most people I think would tell you and I feel this is the best part of this medication is the best characteristic of Respiradal is the lack of side effects..
Some weight gain will come with this medicine but (as I've heard) not as quite as bad as Olazapine. There was this site rating by stars for a variety of mediciations I would -actually- give this treatment 5 stars.
conanrox
Visitor

Registered: March 2007
Posts: 3
Review Date: Fri March 23, 2007 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 2 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): helped with anger , made me feel calm
Negative aspects of this (cons): weight gain, hallucinations, paranoia, muscle spasms, numbness all over

The first time I took risperdal it made me hallucinate, I was seeing and hearing things as well as having the feeling that bugs were crawling on me and seeing them fly in my room. It put me in a zombie like state, I had no emotion. Physically, my whole body tingled and felt numb; I was very restless; and I had muscle spasms. I stopped taking it because of the side effects I experienced.
Nellie
Junior Member

Registered: June 2007
Posts: 12
Review Date: Wed June 27, 2007 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 1 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): ended manic episode
Negative aspects of this (cons): Felt listless and dull, like in a vegetative state; WEIGHT GAIN; constantly fatigued; sunk into a depressive episode after taking it for an extended period of time; was constantly thirsty and constantly had to

I was diagnosed with bipolar II over a year ago. I had a significant manic episode in September 2006, and my doctor gave me this to help ease the episode. I took 25 mg a day and my manic episode went away. I also have GAD so my doctor thought that it would help my anxiety. Well, it did for a while. But that was at the cost of feeling like an emotionless vegetable. After a couple months, I gained about 20 lbs, and I weighed more than I ever have in my life. Taking Risperdol was counterproductive because then I sunk into a depression (probably due to the side effects I was having!). I also felt like I had to pee all the time, and I was also always thirsty. I abruptly stopped taking it after I decided that it wasn't worth it anymore, and I lost the excess weight in no time. I figured that a lot of it was probably due to water retention. Overall, I do NOT recommend this drug AT ALL.
anna_a
Junior Member


Registered: July 2007
Posts: 10
Review Date: Wed July 4, 2007 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 1 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): none
Negative aspects of this (cons): disorganised thinking, inability to concentrate, insomnia, weight gain (no change in appetite), lethargy, extreme mood swings

I would never recommend this drug to anybody.
frightened
Junior Member

Registered: July 2007
Posts: 13
Review Date: Wed August 1, 2007 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 10 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): at low doses,helps with depression and anxiety
Negative aspects of this (cons): increased blood sugars

I am using this to boost my anti-depressant and anxiolytic meds. It seems to help quite a bit. The blood sugars have gone up a bit, so I need to really watch carbs. (diabetic) I find that it also helps my sleep disturbance.
Susan27
Member


Registered: November 2006
Posts: 147
Review Date: Sun August 12, 2007 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 6 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): stops feelings of fragmentation
Negative aspects of this (cons): weight gain, increased appetite, emotionless

i'm on paxil and klonopin and riperdal was added because i felt fragmented in my emotions and thinking after several personal losses. it helps me with feelings of dissociating (feeling disconnected from myself or "looking" at myself from a distanced place) but also leaves me feeling lethargic and oftentimes numb. i'm not sure how i feel about it. definitely calms severe anxiety and panic attacks.
Prada
Member

Registered: August 2007
Posts: 33
Review Date: Fri September 14, 2007 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 9 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): Felt as if I could conquer the world.
Negative aspects of this (cons): disorientation

This was one of my favorite medications I was on. I had a combination of this and paxil. I was taken off of it because it made me feel so disoriented and lost.
bat7777
Visitor

Registered: September 2007
Posts: 4
Review Date: Sun September 23, 2007 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 3 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): knocks me out to sleep (i have terrible insomnia)
Negative aspects of this (cons): zombie state, detatched from reality

this medication did not do much for me aside from make me sleep 14 hours (at a dose of 3mg). after i awoke, i felt like a zombie for most of the day. not too interested in the weight gain, think i'll stick to seroquel. i am in disbelef that some take this drug every day... meds are supposed to lessen one's symptoms, not put them into a state of oblivion.
pyewacket
Member


Registered: October 2007
Posts: 22
Review Date: Mon October 22, 2007 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 8 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): kept thoughts clear
Negative aspects of this (cons): none

kept me from being paranoid
vulnerome
Member

Registered: October 2004
Posts: 130
Review Date: Wed October 31, 2007 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 9 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): Greatly improved mood. Lot more stable. Not suididal anymore.
Negative aspects of this (cons): Gives me tiny hives that wake me most nights.

Feeling great on this, almost euphoric. Was a bit worried that things would get out of control or that I'd crash but instead I drifted into a slight melancholy and then back to a level mood from there. Just hope I can sort this rash.

Feel there is a risk that I could do damage to myself as mood improved enough to plan things out etc.

k3at5
Junior Member

Registered: April 2008
Posts: 6
Review Date: Tue May 6, 2008 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 8 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): i am currently on this medication, i find it very helpful it calms me down and slows my thought so i can think properly
Negative aspects of this (cons): makes me put on weight, and sometimes constipated

over all i believe that this medication is useful
Angry
Visitor

Registered: June 2008
Posts: 1
Review Date: Sat June 21, 2008 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 1 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): ABSOLUTELY NONE....no kidding
Negative aspects of this (cons): Can destroy your life

This medication has RUINED my life. A good chunk of my humanity has literally been erased by f-ing Risperdal. My personality and identity have been damaged, my consciousness doesn't feel connected to my body, I can't feel ANY emotions (NONE, I'm not kidding), I have very little motivation or energy, my memory is shot, and so on and so forth. All the above STARTED just after starting the med, and never went away. Funny this is, I've been off the med for over a year and a half, and was only on the for two months to begin with. I am f-ing pissed. F*ck rispderdal, f*ck Jansenn, f*ck psychiatry, and f*ck me for having to deal with all the sh*t that risperdal caused.
Hermetic
Visitor

Registered: June 2008
Posts: 4
Review Date: Sun June 22, 2008 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 4 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): Not many.
Negative aspects of this (cons): Extreme weight gain, insomnia, mood swings

Risperdal made me put on 20 Kilograms, which didn't do much for my body image and self worth. My mood became very unstable and I ended up overdosing on them. Overdosing on these meds was literally one of the worst and most uncomfortable experiences of my life.