These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
Risperdal [posted 7/24/98]
Question: What is Risperdal and what are its side effects?
Answer: Risperdal (risperidone) is an anti-psychotic drug. It is used to treat patients with major psychosis. It is relatively new and appears to have somewhat better side effect profile than its predecessors. However, its side effects are similar to preceding drugs including: tardive dyskinesia (an irreversible smacking of the lips), malignant neuroleptic syndrome (rising temperatures in susceptible patients), orthostatic hypotension, seizures, somnolence, constipation, nausea, rash and tachycardia.
Risperdal and Memory Loss [posted 7/23/98]
Question: I’ve seen many cases which are treated with
Risperdal. One mentally handicapped child and one schizophrenic child and
afterwards, they figured out that this particular child was not
schizophrenic but a manic depressive. However, they haven’t taken her off
the Risperdal. These two kids also claim that they have symptoms in
which they never had previously and that symptom is of short term
memory loss. Is this a side effect of Risperdal?
Answer: Most of my patients that are treated with Risperdal are elderly and some do complain of memory loss. I have not seen it used in children, but listed as a potential side effect. Not tested in children by the way (like most drugs).
