Risperidone User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• LLano
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 6, 2020

Risperdal (risperidone) for Autism "My daughter, 9, HF Autism level 1.5, severe ADHD, and sensory disorder. She was medicated with Ritalin, which did not help her concentration, but did help her sit longer in a chair. Her negative behavior did not change. She was given 0.3 mg Risperdal drops, and we were able to redirect her violent episodes easier. But still, was not helpful enough. With 0.25 Risperdal drops in the morning and again 0.25 at 4 or 5 in the evening changed her violence to tears (big improvement). She is now able to cry from her frustration. We are then able to redirect her thinking to a happier place. Thankful, she has had absolutely no side effects. Since taking Risperdal, she is functioning better in school and is able to listen to directions better. She is also more verbal on this dose. She has begun to ask for it when she enters the negative moods, which happen morning and evening before her scheduled dose."

• Alex_32
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2018

For Anxiety "I was given risperidone after being admitted to the hospital last week because I couldn't take the anxiety anymore, even though I was already on medication. I couldn't eat, had gag reflexes, and unnatural thoughts. I had terrible morning anxiety and had to take lorazepam. After one night in the hospital, they gave me this drug, and the next morning I woke up calmer and hungry. They sent me home with a 0.5 mg, but the pharmacist made a mistake and gave me 0.25 mg instead. So for the last week, I have been still battling anxiety. Last night, I took the correct dose, and today I was able to stay home by myself and not rush out to be around people. I ate more and got stuff done around the house. Today is my first day back at work. I look forward to better days as I continue on this drug that saved me."

• Tahereh
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I got insomnia on risperidone. I used it for two months and when I stopped taking it, my insomnia didn't go away. Now it's 3 months since I quit risperidone and I still have severe insomnia. No medicine helps me to sleep. I cry all day and night. I hate my life. I wish I could sleep an hour. When I do sleep, it's just a few minutes and I wake up. I wish I was dead. Do not take this stuff. Think if there is a chance you change your brain to be insomniac forever and suffer the rest of your life, would you take the chance? Please, I beg you, don't do this to yourself. Learn from me."

• drake
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2020

For Depression "So I was admitted to the psychiatric ward of an Indian hospital; I’m an Indian male; and was given this drug, risperidone, to help me with psychosis. The first few days were a nightmare. I was restless, and I wanted to move all the time. I gained weight on my legs during the second week. I felt lethargic throughout. I was put on 8 mg of liquid and felt absolutely horrible. The feeling was so bad that I can’t even describe it. But my mind was being put under control. The audiovisual hallucinations were disappearing fast. I have to admit that after eight months and after being put on 2 mg, my psychosis has vanished. Yet the hallucinations were not the problem anymore - the inactivity, laziness, and lethargic feeling were. I’ve got three months left, and I’m so used to doing nothing that I wonder whether I’ll be able to move again. I’m always on my bed!"

• Carmen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 27, 2015

For Anxiety "Panic disorder took over my life. I had racing thoughts that would keep me up at night, nocturnal panic attacks, derealization and depersonalization, auditory hallucinations, and occasional paranoia. My doctor first tried a beta-blocker, then an SSRI, both of which did nothing to help me, before starting me on 0.25 mg risperidone. After about two weeks, I started to feel a lot calmer. Instead of fearful thoughts sticking with me, they'd just fly out of my mind. After 3 months panic-free, I stopped the medication due to side effects of forgetfulness, apathy, and weight gain. My forgetfulness got pretty severe by the end, but it really helped me snap out of the vicious cycle of panic disorder, and I'd take it again short-term if I needed to."

• mom...
• October 11, 2010

Risperdal (risperidone) for Schizophrenia "I'm very frustrated right at the moment. My son, who is 37 years old, has been on risperdal for 5 years. Now he decides he doesn't need it anymore. Well, the voices are totally out of control. He can't even hear me when I talk to him because the voices are so loud. He doesn't sleep, he talks constantly to them. I just wish he would take the medication. We've been dealing with this for 17 years, so I do know that this medication works to quieten the voices."

• Sheel...
• January 17, 2010

Risperdal (risperidone) for Depression "This medication kept me calm and gave me a good night's sleep. I woke up early in the morning with energy and looking forward to starting the day. However, none of this means anything to me since it caused me to go from 145 pounds to 210 pounds."

• My...
• September 14, 2011

Risperdal (risperidone) for Schizophrenia "My son had severe acute psychosis and a possible diagnosis of schizophrenia at age 17. Risperdal (Risperidone) brought him back to his normal self, for the most part. He has put on weight (2 trouser sizes bigger) and he is inclined to rock back and forth a little when seated. He is slightly less motivated and says he doesn't retain information as he used to at school. This may be improved by adjusting the dose. But this medicine gave me my son back and seems well-tolerated by him. The psychosis is completely gone."

• Betty...
• August 8, 2010

Risperdal (risperidone) for Bipolar Disorder "This pill has been very good to me. It calms me down and balances out my mood, so I no longer have the extreme ups and downs. It keeps me in a happy middle. While many other bipolar medicines I have taken have made me feel an inability to feel angry, Risperdal just keeps me from making a huge deal over small issues. I no longer get mad over petty things, but I do feel angry when something extremely upsetting happens. I do not feel extreme sadness for no reason any longer, but I do feel it when extreme events happen. For instance, my grandfather died last week, and I was sad about it, but I no longer feel depressed for no reason. The stages of mania I used to experience have almost completely subsided."

• Grandma...
• June 9, 2017

For Autism "My grandson started on risperidone when he was four years old. He was having difficulties at daycare, very violent and aggressive and hurting himself and others. The drug was a lifesaver, he was able to function and get along with others and become more productive. We did try to take him off a few months ago, and everything came back. We tried Abilify, and that did not work at all, so we put him back on the risperidone. Two weeks later, he is a much happier child. I definitely recommend it!"

• awano
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 17, 2018

Risperdal (risperidone) for Schizophrenia "This is a life-destroying drug. I have anger issues, and this drug was mixed in my food by my family. I couldn't read a book, enjoy music, or watch TV. My thought process became impaired. I suffered from the worst kind of akathisia, endlessly walking for seven months and had suicidal thoughts. I became drowsy, lost all motivation, and couldn't care about anything. I was able to come off it after a great struggle and remained drug-free for eleven years and was able to enjoy all the things I couldn't because of this drug. Unfortunately, however, my siblings have again mixed it in my food as I had to stay with them. All the side effects are back, and life feels like a nightmare devoid of purpose again."

• Smurp...
• September 20, 2011

Risperdal (risperidone) for Autism "My daughter has been on this for several years (started at 0.25mg, worked up to 0.5mg 2x a day) to help with mood/emotion, and to help her move past things when she gets emotionally 'stuck' and there were times when I thought it wasn't really doing much. Then I couldn't get it refilled for a couple days, so she didn't have any before school. They noticed something was different. They called me to ask if there had been a medicine change. Sometimes, you think it isn't working, but at home, things are different than at school. No weight issues: 5', 98lbs."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2012

Risperdal (risperidone) for Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking it for about 3 months now, and it works very well. I do not have those strong unrealistic negative scenarios anymore, no voices, no feeling like disappearing, all that is gone, and it minimized my unreasonable fears. I do have long moments of almost total lack of emotions, and I do not feel much in general (I used to be an enthusiastic person) but I do not mind for now, it was terrible not to be able to control inexplicable feelings. I did not gain weight (just a bit, but I also take Wellbutrin). My only concern is how I am going to be when I stop taking this medicine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I’m helpless as I can’t think anymore. There is no more excitement! There was a time when I’d feel happy about nature. I loved going for walks, when I was in London, I’d go out. I was in bliss. Suddenly I’m sinking... it’s helping me so much by removing psychotic thoughts (all gone), yet it’s ruining my happiness. I ask: Is there an alternative? I want my happiness back, I want to be able to exercise again, I don’t want that fear of going out, I want to be able to think as I read... I’ve lost interest in movies, music, studies, and sports. Has anyone felt so tired on it? Has anyone been sprawled on bed like me the whole day doing nothing?"

• Lily
• October 9, 2018

For Anxiety "I was failed by mental health professionals by being prescribed medications that debilitated me for years, this being one of them, and I couldn’t do anything about it because I wanted to believe they were helping me. I became dependent on it, and it made me delusional, fatigued, my ability to do anything became poor, and my behavior became strange and eccentric. I gained weight, and I felt as if I had something wrong with me. It calmed my nerves, but that was the dangerous part about taking this medication - I became mentally addicted to it, and that’s why I never fought to come off it until I realized just how much it was ruining my life. Overall, I have no words to describe the amount of damage this medication has done to me. I am no longer on this medication, and I am so grateful that after almost a year, I’m starting to feel better. I do not recommend this medication at all, especially for anyone under the age of 18."

• Robin
• April 6, 2020

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "On risperidone, I have noticed I'm a lot better when it comes to PTSD. Calmer in situations that I used to react to with impulses that were negative to me. No weight gain, just try to stick with healthier options of food. :) Have noticed it's easier to gain weight, but that just made me understand I have to control it. Anyway, my ADHD, PTSD, and psychotic behavior are much better. Feel normal now, and that is a miracle to me."

• Britt...
• May 6, 2012

Risperdal (risperidone) for Bipolar Disorder "I was on this for about 6 months when I was 15. It's the only thing that has worked for me. I was able to go to school. Had great relationships with everyone. Only had one bad mood swing and I was having them every day before I got on it. But I also gained 20 pounds and I could never get enough to eat. I've tried about everything and this was the only thing that helped. It doesn't make you feel funny or blank like a lot of them. But if you eat healthy and can ignore the always wanting something to eat feeling, this is an amazing medicine and will change your life."

• Farris...
• February 3, 2016

For Depression "I have been taking Risperdal for 7 years now. The worst thing about it is the lack of motivation and the carelessness. I don't feel like waking up because I have no interest in life anymore. I wake up when I feel like I have slept too much. I can't work on my projects (I am a web developer). I have no interest in working because I don't feel motivated, and I feel tired after I work instead of satisfied. My sex drive has gone down dramatically. The best thing about this drug is that it doesn't make me feel down or sad all the time, in fact, I don't feel anything anymore, like a zombie, a living dead if you will. Don't take it unless you have to."

• Steph
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 8, 2020

Risperdal (risperidone) for Autism "I have such a love-hate relationship with Risperdal. It helped us during a time when my son was in crisis (has OCD), but the thing is, it loses its effectiveness, and we are constantly having to increase or keep him where he is even though it’s not working because weaning off the med is so awful. Honestly, I don’t think the side effects and nightmare of trying to get off this med are worth it, in my opinion."

• Khale...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 10, 2019

For Anxiety "For me, risperidone was horrible. It made me feel like my skin was crawling and gave me a horrible feeling I can't even describe. Taking this med was like drug-induced torture. I took it for severe panic attacks, depression, and autism spectrum disorder. It did not help at all. Luckily, my doctor found something (Remeron and Pristiq) that actually works."

• Teetee
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2020

For Depression "I have never felt mentally ill before taking this medication. It ruined my life for the 3 months I took it, my anxiety was through the roof, my mood was very low every day, crying all the time... just very bad. I am not an anxious person, but this really became some depressed, anxious mess that I did not recognize."

• Kinde
• May 29, 2019

Risperdal (risperidone) for Mania "Couldn't sweat/exercise. I had horrible tardive dyskinesia (flexing my lips all the time), tremors, mood swings, black spots in vision, overheating, overeating, dropped out of college because I could no longer write and even had trouble focusing on simple reading. Then I stopped drinking 6 cups of coffee a day and succumbed to the med, and all it did was put me away for 12+ hours. I couldn't do anything but eat. I thought my life was over. When I came off the drug, even when I tapered, I experienced hallucinations (more black spots, fuzzy vision). A lot of my 'delusions' were fear that I had MS. This phobia ruled my life until all of the Risperdal was out of my system, along with the rebound anxiety with it. Took it for 4 months and gained 70 lbs. I feel like this kind of medication is overprescribed all of the time. I'm back on track with my life now, and I'll never touch another med of this classification again. I feel insulted that someone tried to do this to me."

• Thrif...
• March 14, 2020

For Autism "Cannot recommend risperidone for autism. If you insist on using, do so with extreme caution!—and careful increasing dose. My son, age 9, was put on low-dose (.25) for meltdowns associated with autism spectrum disorder. He did fine, with complete eradication of meltdowns, for six weeks. Then the doctor ordered us to give him a second dose daily. That is when the horrible side effects began: weird flicking gestures with his fingers and hands. He said he was compelled to do it to get rid of an “itch,” but couldn’t express himself very well. At first, we thought it was an obsessive-compulsive disorder, perhaps caused by the risperidone. But then I discovered tardive akathisia — which is a restless syndrome caused by this class of drug and which manifests as weird body movements. No sure diagnosis yet; still weaning him slowly off the drug. But the experience is terrifying—my son is tormented by this urge to flick his hands, and I pray to God it stops once we end the med. I read that it is usually temporary."

• mark
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 23, 2019

For Anxiety "This drug should be the last choice, once you have tried all others. I don't recommend it. I was on 4 mg at night, and it made me sleep and eat better, but when you come off it, it's a nightmare. I'm lucky if I sleep 4 hrs a night, and the anxiety is worse than when I started. I was and am still on it now for 2 and a half years. I'm thankfully down to 1 mg at night. I can't wait to get off it. Slowly my sex drive and emotions are coming back. I don't feel like as much of a zombie. Also, I have more energy."

• Perry
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2023

"I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and this drug has ruined my life. I took this medication for three months, and I had to stop using it because it was affecting my communication skills. I became extremely quiet and found it challenging to talk to people. I couldn't hold a conversation with anyone, and I couldn't express myself properly. This medication silenced me, and I couldn't even complete a sentence as I would forget what I was going to say. I became like a zoned-out zombie, and I also gained a lot of weight. The medication also caused permanent erectile dysfunction and Tardive Dyskinesia, which resulted in uncontrollable muscle movements in my hands, fingers, feet, and legs."