How long does Risperdal withdrawal last?

I’ve stopped taking Risperidone 0.5mg as a sleep aid because I’ve been prescribed mirtazapine for anxiety and depression. The mirtazapine definitely helps especially with sleep - I don’t wake up in the night anymore - I feel groggy AF in the morning but for me it’s better than not sleeping and feeling rubbish in the morning. I noticed an increase in anxiety and depression when stopping the risperidone but it’s at a manageable level - as long as I go to the gym, get outside in the sun, eat good food and lots of fluid I’m feeling OK. Unfortunately I’ve been on like 4 medications for anxiety and depression and I’ve decided to get off the medications I feel aren’t helping anymore, which are risperidone and buspirone. That leaves me with Pregabalin and Mirtazapine, which I feel and have felt work really well. Weight gain from both is an absolute pain but 1.5 hours in the gym, 4/5 days a week should keep it at a minimum.

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Risperdal is one of those drugs that really should only be prescribed if one is having psychotic symptoms. It is a very powerful drug that can cause serious damage even with short term use. There is no clinically proven withdrawal duration of anti psychotics. The research is far behind where it should be on stopping psychotropic drugs. Very few doctors recognize withdrawal as the serious issue it is and often mistakenly think it is simply a worsening of their original condition. Like wildcat said, you have thankfully been on the drug for a shorter time than most people are when they try to quit. The withdrawal could be days, weeks, months, or even years in some cases according to patient claims. I wish I could give you an exact date, but unfortunately that isn't possible because the research just isn't there yet.

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