Risperdal is prescribed to patients with schizophrenia, which is a brain disorder. Risperdal can help reduce the risk of suicide in these patients as well as some of the symptoms of schizophrenia, which include mood swings, speaking problems, social withdrawal, decreased movement and an inability to feel pleasure. Risperdal also treats patients with bipolar disorder and certain symptoms in autistic children.
What are some important things I should know about Risperdal?
Risperdal is the first medication for schizophrenia that can be used to treat children as young as 13, and bipolar patients as young as 10 years of age (on a short term basis).
Risperdal is prescribed to patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, which are caused by imbalances of brain chemicals. Risperdal can help reduce the risk of suicide in these patients as well as some of the symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Risperdal can be used to treat schizophrenia in patients as young as 13 years of age, and bipolar disorder (short term treatment) in patients as young as 10 years of age.
However, Risperdal has been linked to increased mortality in elderly patients and is not approved for use in patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis, especially elderly patients.
Symptoms of schizophrenia include mood swings, speaking problems, social withdrawal, decreased movement and an inability to feel pleasure. These are called “negative symptoms” of schizophrenia. Positive symptoms include delusional thinking and hearing and seeing things that are only in the imagination.
Schizophrenia is caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals, particularly dopamine and seratonin, although researchers are not certain why these chemicals become imbalanced. Some believe it is a combination of in utero exposure to viruses, malnutrition or birth complications. Schizophrenia usually starts during one’s teen years or in early adulthood.
Bipolar disorder is caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals as well. Bipolar disorder causes severe mood swings and energy shifts, and makes it difficult for people to complete daily tasks. Almost 6 million people in the U.S. suffer from bipolar disorder.
Risperdal is also used to treat certain symptoms of autism, including irritability.
- drowsiness
- fatigue
- appetite changes
- anxiety
- nausea
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- tremor
- rash
Risperdal can cause an increased risk of heart attack and stroke in older patients who are experiencing dementia. Risperdal can also cause allergic reactions, tardive dyskinesia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. These conditions can all be fatal, and you should contact your doctor immediately if you notice:
- chest pain
- difficulty breathing
- loss of coordination, especially in one side of the body
- headache
- slurred speech
- hives
- rash
- fever
- swelling of face, throat and mouth
- coma
- seizure
- muscle rigidity
- irregular pulse
- involuntary movements