Risperidone

Common Brand Names

Resco, Sizomax, Sizodon, Shinodone, Risdone

Overview

Risperidone is medicine that helps with symptoms of some mental health conditions such as:

• schizophrenia (where you may see, hear or feel things that are not there or you believe things that are not true or you feel unusually suspicious or have muddled thoughts)
• mania symptoms of bipolar disorder, where your mood changes between feeling highly excited (mania) and very low (depression)
• aggressive or agitated behaviour in children (over 5 years) or young people with learning disabilities
• aggressive or agitated behaviour in adults with Alzheimer's disease

It's an antipsychotic medicine. It does not cure your condition but it can help the symptoms.

Risperidone is only available on prescription in some countries.

It comes as tablets (including tablets that dissolve in your mouth) and a liquid that you drink.

It can also be given as an injection (for schizophrenia only).

Important Facts

• Risperidone works by affecting chemical messengers in the brain (neurotransmitters) like dopamine. It does not cure your condition but it helps to keep your symptoms under control.
• Risperidone does not work straight away. It can take several days or even months for some symptoms to get better.
• Common side effects include feeling sleepy, problems with your movement and headaches.
• It can make you feel more hungry than usual, so you may put on weight.

• It's best not to drink alcohol for the first few days of treatment until you see how the medicine affects you.