Risperidone and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Swe...
• September 30, 2017

Risperdal (risperidone) for Bipolar Disorder "Risperidone has really helped me. I used to be either depressed or manic. My thoughts are clear and my mood is stable now. I would like to mention that I have not gained a single pound on this drug. Always, always, always... take this right before you lay down at night to go to sleep. Take this pill, then lay down and go to bed. That way, you will sleep your way through the munchies. I take it as though it is a sleeping pill and it works for me. I just wanted to share, in hopes that this will help someone else struggling with weight gain."

• Joe...
• August 23, 2014

Risperdal (risperidone) for Autism "My son was on risperidone at 4 years old for aggression associated with Autism. This medication has changed his life. No more aggression and very happy. He is now 8 and doing great. We did attempt to take him off to see if he still needed the medication at age 7 and all his past behaviors, hitting, kicking, swearing, crying came back immediately. With my son, we could not miss a dose and has to be given at the same time each day. He is now on 3x per day 0.5 given at school by nurse for afternoons. He has had no major side effects. He is very tall and very skinny. When he first got on the medication he became overweight, we changed his diet to more fruit and protein and the weight came off quickly. Highly recommend this medication."

• Sim...
• September 21, 2016

For Anxiety "Had a severe nervous breakdown in 1998. I was a policeman and totally lost the plot. While anti-depressants eventually took the depression away, I was left with chronic anxiety. So after therapy, my doctor recommended this drug at 0.5 mg morning and evening. Before, my mind was racing, but this drug stopped me in my tracks. It wasn't a nice first two weeks, I felt like a zombie. But after this time, I suddenly woke up one morning, and the world was a beautiful place again. No more severe panic attacks, no more dreaded thoughts, just peace in my life. As I say, the first two weeks were unpleasant, but I'm so glad I stuck it out. A little weight gain, variable bowel movements, and one other thing, don't overdo it with alcohol."

• orc...
• October 26, 2019

Risperdal (risperidone) for Autism "I was given this horrific drug, Risperdal, at 14 years old because my anger was out of control. I had an eating disorder and gained over 20 pounds in 2 or 3 weeks despite starving myself. The weight kept piling on. I was very uncomfortable and couldn't get used to it. It makes me angry that mentally ill people are expected to just live with the uncontrollable weight gain for the sake of mental health. I felt like I was constantly in a fog. I could barely understand or react to anything anyone was saying, I had uncontrollable jerky tics. My night terrors got way worse. I fought my parents tooth and nail to get off this drug. They tried to hide it in my food and drinks, but I saw pieces and grinds of it every time. After a few weeks, I stopped taking it. I found out later the tics and movement problems can be permanent if you stay on these types of drugs for long. I'm not sure how long though. Doctors kept trying to push anti-psychotics on me, and I flat-out refused."

• Mom...
• May 26, 2019

Risperdal (risperidone) for Asperger Syndrome "My son was given risperidone at age 6. He took it for 2 weeks. He became a blob. Sure, the teachers loved it. He was sweet, not hyper, and easy to manage. The downside? Yeah, he was a blob of a kid just sitting there, dull as can be, and then on his tiny frame, he gained TEN POUNDS IN TWO WEEKS. Two. He couldn't even put his jeans on! OMG. I took him off of it, and he was back to being hyper, laughing, and fun, but annoying. So, suck it up, teachers. He just is what he is. Needless to say, today, a few years later, after ABA therapy and other therapy, he's just fine. Stay away. I also found out that Risperdal causes boys to sprout breasts and lactate. The next psychiatrist we had said NEVER put a boy on that medication… they grow breasts. So yeah, not a good medication for us."

• gat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2020

Risperdal (risperidone) for Bipolar Disorder "I've tried a lot of different meds, my favorite by far is Lamictal, but it stopped working after 10 years. I started Risperidone a year ago. It makes me calm, I hardly get angry, I have no anxiety, and I have not had an episode since I started it. I feel great on it in general. The downside is that it makes me lazy, I'm so chill now that I'm totally comfortable just sitting on the couch. I feel relaxed and balanced, but without the anxiety, I have no reason to get up and 'run it off'. The biggest and worst issue I have with it is the damn weight gain. I've always been super fit and thin, but now I have a belly that I just can't get rid of. If it didn't work so well for my mood, I would get off of it immediately to lose my weight. I would still recommend it and I won't be stopping it anytime soon."

• som...
• March 20, 2015

Risperdal (risperidone) for Bipolar Disorder "This has to be the best medication (at least for me) for bipolar disorder, paranoia, and anxiety. I have had bipolar episodes since my teens, now in my 30s, and every time I have a bipolar episode, this medication almost works instantly. What I mean by works instantly is it snaps me out of my mania and unwanted thoughts quickly. It does take a few weeks to work fully, but if you are someone who suffers from bad mania, this is the right medication for you. Luckily, I did not experience bad side effects from this medication. I have had some muscle stiffness in my neck, some twitching and muscle spasms, and slight weight gain. Also, my menstrual cycle was thrown off. Additionally, it helped my somatic symptoms, and I was able to live my life again. A+++med"

• Jam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 21, 2019

Risperdal (risperidone) for Bipolar Disorder "Risperdal saved my life. I was hospitalized two times with psychosis, and this is what they gave me. It took a few weeks to really kick in. At first, I was tired. I have been on the medication for almost five years now. I am able to live a normal life, although I still have some depression. I take 4 mg of Risperdal, which I just increased from 3 mg because at times I would have mild hallucinations or delusions when tired or the like. They are almost non-existent now, really just coming on if I have caffeine. I did gain weight, but not meaningfully so. The trick is to watch your calories and exercise as much as possible. I would recommend trying this for severe psychosis. I also take 600 mg of lithium, which seems to help my mood. I like to think that the lithium helps protect the brain from the damage Risperdal can cause. Without Risperdal, I wouldn't be here by now. Every day is a blessing and a gift!"

• Job...
• January 21, 2012

Risperdal (risperidone) for Schizophrenia "I smoked a lot of marijuana as a young man. Me being a late bloomer, I think it affected my brain chemistry. One day I felt an explosion in my head, after that I started hearing voices and became really paranoid. I finally admitted that I needed help, after seeing that I couldn't hold a job, snapped at people, starting fights with people for no reason, insane thoughts and a brain I couldn't control, I was prescribed Risperdal for schizophrenia, Ativan for anxiety, and benztropine for side effects, all these medications for what my kind doctor called a brain disorder. Stopped paranoid thoughts, delusions, gained social skills back. No libido, 15 lbs weight gain in a month, but feel sane again. Seems to work for 7 hours, then paranoid again."

• jer...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 9, 2015

For Anxiety "I have been on Risperidone, 3 mg every night, before bedtime, for 8 years. It worked better in the beginning when I first began with the name brand. However, it still works very well. I have to take it once a day right before I hop into bed, or else I get Akathisia (Severe inner restlessness and inner torture). That is the one and only thing I hate about antipsychotics. That and weight gain. All in all, it takes away racing, disorganized thoughts, and calms the mind. It works to help emotions too. Good for anxiety. But don't go overboard with the dose. 9/10!"

• pup...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 20, 2020

Risperdal (risperidone) for Schizophrenia "I was admitted to the hospital and prescribed Risperdal. I recently went from 3 mg to 2 mg. I've been having really bad swallowing issues on this med, and we're hoping the lower dose helps with this. Otherwise, a great medicine for me. I've been active in the community and able to control some of my unusual thoughts. I would recommend this medication, but be cautious of the side effects. I've been on the med for 2 years now. I gained 40 lbs and remarkably, I was able to lose 50 lbs since starting Risperdal."

• Car...
• 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."

• Yas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2015

For Tic Disorder "I have been taking this medication for over a month at the 0.25mg dose, once daily. I have moderate facial tics that become more severe with anxiety, with my eyes, nose, and mouth twitching at least several times a minute. My psychiatrist prescribed me risperidone, and I read online that many people suffer weight gain from this medication. I have had no weight gain at all and no change in appetite, most likely due to my low dosage. From the first dose I took, I noticed my tics were reduced significantly, and I remember thinking, 'this is what it feels like to be normal!' My tics are almost entirely gone, and I used to be reminded of my tics every waking second, but now half of the time I forget I even have tics. This drug saved my self-esteem."

• She...
• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• dra...
• 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!"

• Lil...
• 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."

• Rob...
• 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."

• Bri...
• 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."

• ano...
• June 14, 2013

Risperdal (risperidone) for Schizoaffective Disorder "Risperdal is my miracle. I put on about 30 pounds in the course of 18 months but that is nothing as to the improvement it has made on my mental well being. Gone are the sleepless nights staring at the ceiling, delusions of grandeur, and being overly worried about life's ups and downs. The psychosis has diminished to the point where I no longer need medication to remain stable. If symptoms ever return, I know this is the medication for me. Also no unpleasant side effects from coming off it."

• Pat...
• July 21, 2016

For Paranoid Disorder "I've been on Risperidone for a long time now, and I think it's working great for me. I used to have paranoid thoughts, but after taking Risperidone, I've gained trust in other people more. I think it helped my paranoid thoughts go away by leveling out my mood and anxiety. I think I genetically get anxiety passed down from relatives, but who really knows. I hope I stay on Risperidone for a long time. I didn't even gain weight on it. If you have anxiety, tell your doctor to put you on Risperidone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 18, 2014

For Autism "I put my 22-year-old autistic son on risperidone 6 months ago, and what a transformation! After years of pleading with doctors to put my son on this medication, I'm finally relieved he's now on it as he is a completely different person. He used to be extremely violent, throwing, hitting out, and biting his arm severely, he was a massive liability, but 6 months on, what a difference! He doesn't do any of these things anymore thanks to risperidone. However, on the downside, this medication has caused him to gain weight and makes him tired. He also doesn't show much emotion with activities where things can be an effort for him, seems quite disinterested in things. I would much rather him be how he is now than how he was before he started taking risperidone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2017

Risperdal (risperidone) for Autism "My son is autistic, he is 10 years old. My son's doctor recommended Risperdal for him because of his aggressive behaviors. After 3 months on the medication, he has been more agitated, and he put on 15 pounds. So the doctor wants to increase the medicine. I will not be doing this increased."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2019

Risperdal (risperidone) for Schizophrenia "I have psychosis NOS (not otherwise specified), and I am currently taking 2 mg once daily. My temperament is better. I am not as easily agitated and sleep better at night. Prior to Risperdal, I had severe insomnia and was easily moved to anger. On the downside, I gained 20 lbs in about 2 months, my affect is flat, and my energy level is very low. I force myself to exercise, but I seem to be experiencing muscle tiredness and some coordination problems. I plan to speak with my doctor for med adjustment."