Refer to
3 November 2024 Dr Phil Gregory
NHS South London and Maudsley
NHS Foundation Trust
Risperidone for
Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)
Why has risperidone been prescribed?
Risperidone is most commonly used to treat conditions such as schizophrenia and other
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)
Risperidone – an antipyschotic medicine used to help
Why is this medication prescribed? Risperidone is used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia (a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions) in adults and teenagers 13 years of age and older.15 Jun 2023
Taking risperidone may make you feel tired or dizzy and may affect your eyesight when you start taking it. This could affect you if you drive a car, ride a bike, or do anything else that needs a lot of focus. It might be best to stop doing these things for the first few days or weeks, until you know how it affects you.
A doctor may choose to prescribe an off-label antipsychotic drug when it offers a better balance of benefits and risks for an individual patient. For example, risperidone may be effective in people with dementia, but it also increases the risk of having a stroke.
Risperidone is an antipsychotic medication that is sometimes used to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in moderate to severe cases:
- When used
Risperidone is used when other treatments have not been effective and there is a risk of harm to the patient or others. It can be used to treat symptoms such as aggression, agitation, psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, hostility, and uncooperativeness.
- How it’s used
Risperidone is usually started at a low dose and gradually increased. It can take several weeks to feel the full benefit.
- Risks
Risperidone can have serious side effects, including an increased risk of stroke and death. Other side effects include dehydration, water retention, chest infections, and heart problems.
- Approval
Risperidone is approved for short-term use in some countries, but not in the United States.
- Risperidone: Is it safe for a person with dementia?
23 Aug 2022 — Summary. Risperidone is an antipsychotic medication. Some doctors also use it to treat certain behavioral and psycholog…
MedicalNewsToday
- London: Appropriate prescribing of antipsychotic medication in dementia
4 Oct 2022 — There are several antipsychotic drugs that may be used. Each one has slightly different effects on the brain and has its…
NHS England
- The Use of Risperidone in Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms …
20 May 2020 — In addition to memory loss, dementia often results in severe behavioral and psychological changes where pharmacological…
NCBI
- Show all
Show more
Risperidone: Is it safe for a person with dementia?
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com › articles › risperid…
23 Aug 2022 — Some doctors use risperidone to treat certain dementia symptoms. However, research shows that the medication may not be a safe treatment option for older …
What it is · Symptoms · Reviewing risperidone · Risks
Very common side effects of taking risperidone (affecting more than one in ten people) include: feeling sleepy, tired, weak or exhausted (this can be worse at the start of treatment and wear off after a few weeks – if you take your dose once daily, you could try taking it just before you go to bed)
There may be a slightly increased risk of serious, possibly fatal side effects (such as stroke, heart failure, fast/irregular heartbeat, pneumonia) when this medication is used by older adults with dementia. This medication is not approved for the treatment of dementia-related behavior problems.
Other adverse outcomes associated with antipsychotic use in dementia include risk of extrapyramidal side effects including gait disturbance (with use of FGAs and risperidone, but less commonly olanzapine, aripiprazole, and quetiapine), sedation, venous thromboembolism, and pneumonia [6, 25, 51, 54].
Parkinson’s disease. Seizures. An unusual or allergic reaction to risperidone, paliperidone, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives. Pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
This medicine may cause drowsiness, trouble with thinking, or trouble with controlling body movements, which may lead to falls, fractures or other injuries. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.31 Jan 2024
Schizophrenia requires long-term treatment. Do not stop taking risperidone, even when you feel better. With input from you, your health care provider will assess how long you will need to take the medication. Missing doses of risperidone may increase your risk for a relapse in your symptoms.
Doctors and psychiatrists have had a lot of experience using risperidone since it came out for treating schizophrenia and other mental health problems. They have seen how well it works to help with positive symptoms like hallucinations and delusions. It can also help reduce agitation and aggression in some people.2 May 2024
Who is it for? Risperidone is indicated for the treatment of psychotic symptoms, or persistent agitation or aggression that is not responsive to non-pharmacological approaches, for patients with moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer type.19 Mar 2020.
Does Risperidone Calm You Down? Risperidone is primarily given for calming down patients suffering from schizophrenia, maniac disorder, autism. The drug should not however be taken by apparently healthy individuals. In the case of severe depression, Risperidone is a primary drug for calming down the patients.
Does Risperidone Calm You Down? Risperidone is primarily given for calming down patients suffering from schizophrenia, maniac disorder, autism. The drug should not however be taken by apparently healthy individuals. In the case of severe depression, Risperidone is a primary drug for calming down the patients.
The average weight gain from these medications–including asenapine, iloperidone, paliperidone LAI, quetiapine IR, and risperidone–ranged from three to nearly six pounds.8 Mar 2023
Risperidone is intended to reduce symptoms, such as aggression, and rapid mood swings. Studies report a significant improvement in symptoms associated with autism when risperidone is administered as compared to a placebo. It was possible to observe an improvement of 43% in the mean change in irritability (9-11).
Results: Compared to haloperidol, risperidone did not reduce patients’ facial expressiveness, decreased physiological reactivity, and decreased experience of unpleasant emotion but maintained experience of pleasant emotion. Emotional expressiveness was negatively correlated to parkisonism.
Risperdal (risperidone) and Xanax (alprazolam) are used to treat anxiety. Risperdal is used off-label in the treatment of anxiety. Risperdal is typically prescribed to treat schizophrenia, bipolar mania, and autism.17 Apr 2018
Risperidone can cause metabolic changes that might increase your risk for having a stroke or heart attack. You and your doctor should watch your blood sugar, symptoms of diabetes (weakness or increased urination, thirst, or hunger), weight, and cholesterol levels.
As noted, risperidone appears to spark increased appetite, which results in weight gain. The metabolic consequences observed in the study are similar to what we see in children who are obese but not being treated with a drug like risperidone.
There may be a slightly increased risk of serious, possibly fatal side effects (such as stroke, heart failure, fast/irregular heartbeat, pneumonia) when this medication is used by older adults with dementia. This medication is not approved for the treatment of dementia-related behavior problems.
Yes, many people take risperidone for a long time. Risperidone treats your condition but it will not cure it. It helps to keep your symptoms under control. One long-term side effect can be putting on weight as taking risperidone can make you feel more hungry than usual.
You may find it’s possible to manage your symptoms, or to make a full recovery, without medication. If you are taking antipsychotics, you may also want to use other options to support your mental health, as well as your medication. This page has information on some of the common alternatives to antipsychotics.
Psychosis can be caused by a mental (psychological) condition, a general medical condition, or alcohol or drug misuse.
The main symptoms of psychosis are: hallucinations – someone sees, hears, feels, tastes, or smells things that aren’t real, often this can mean they hear voices. delusions – someone believes things that are untrue, often this can lead them to believe that someone is trying to harm them.25 Apr 2024
During an episode of psychosis a person’s thoughts become confused. Words and ideas lose their meaning or take on meanings that make no sense. These disturbances in thinking can affect a person’s ability to concentrate, remember things and make plans.
Others have postulated that active psychosis may damage neuronal connectivity,5 while Wood et al6 believed that the impacts were through stress and the release of stress-related hormones. The focus for pathological deliberations, so far, has been very much on the brain.
not argue, confront or challenge someone about their beliefs or experiences. accept if they don’t want to talk to you, but be available if they change their mind. treat the person with respect. be mindful that the person may be fearful of what they are experiencing.22 Dec 2023
People experiencing symptoms of psychosis are often unable to think clearly. Respond to disorganized speech by communicating in an uncomplicated and succinct manner, and repeat things if necessary. Be patient and allow plenty of time for the person to process the information and respond.
Respond calmly and gently; avoid arguing with or confronting your loved one about their beliefs or behaviors. Listen. People living with psychosis can feel isolated by their symptoms. Use active listening to build trust with your loved one: “I hear you saying that people are following you and they seem scary.23 Oct 2024
An episode of psychosis is treatable, and it is possible to recover. It is widely accepted that the earlier people get help the better the outcome. 25% of people who develop psychosis will never have another episode, another 50% may have more than one episode but will be able to live normal lives.
Fight4justice 