Risperidone for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Try...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 1, 2020

"My husband used this medication for paranoid delusional symptoms in his bipolar I disorder. He used this and other medications for his symptoms of bipolar. This medication, by far, has been the only thing that works for his paranoia, and it helps with mood swings and mania. He's been on this medication for more than 15 years. It is sedating, there are some sexual side effects and weight gain. But, it has helped us stay married for more than 20 years."

• Nor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 30, 2017

Risperidone "I have been on Risnia/Risperdal for a few years now. Currently on a dosage of 2 mg of the generic Risnia. As an answer to bipolar disorder with psychotic features, this drug works wonders, and I have been without relapse for 3 years now. My biggest frustration, however, is the weight gain. I have put on 8 kg during this time, and I eat like a bird. I have tried a number of diets and exercise 3-4 times per week. My psychiatrist mentioned slightly decreasing the dosage every second day and see if that helps. I will try this as soon as I get a new script with 1 mg pills. Can anyone recommend a good alternative?"

• Eer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2022

Risperidone "The kids at the mental hospital called this drug whisper doll, and that's how I've called it all my life. Worst drug ever. I woke up with a vivid nightmare, sleep paralysis, and lockjaw. Very scary stuff."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 2, 2022

Risperidone "I’ve been taking Risperdal for 10+ years. I got diagnosed bipolar after 9 years. Before that, doctors were unable to give me a diagnosis because my symptoms are atypical. I suffered from psychosis and emotional instability. I was given a dose of 6 mg in the beginning, and it stopped the paranoia. I had a lot of side effects like sleepiness, flat affects, lactation, anorgasmia, weight gain, blurry vision, greasy skin, greasy hair. My dose went down to 2 mg, and it stopped the side effects, but I was still emotionally unstable, however, no delusions. After 9 years, I received Lamictal, and I felt a lot better, the depressions stopped, however, I started having psychoses again, and the Risperdal went to 3 mg, then 4 mg. I’m trying another antipsychotic now because of the weight gain. Over the years, I gained 40 lbs, especially when my dose went up."

• Mhd...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 18, 2021

"I've used every mood stabilizer that is on the market: Depakine, lamotrigine, carbamazepine, etc. Also, I've used all of the SSRI drugs on the market. After years of trying different medications, my doctor suggested the combination of citalopram and risperidone. It has been a life changer. I've been using these drugs for the last two years, and all of my anxiety, depression, and OCD have vanished completely. I'm on 1 mg of risperidone and 20 mg of citalopram. No side effects, and I'm completely relieved!!!"

• ter...
• February 10, 2010

Risperidone "I was taking Seroquel XR for 5 months and was doing fine. Then my insurance switched me to Risperdal, and I don't like it one bit. It doesn't do anything for me. I'm going back to the way I was before the Seroquel."

• Ano...
• January 26, 2013

"I like Risperdal for the most part because it completely calmed me down in the thick of two manic episodes. It is the first medication I tried for bipolar I (besides Lamictal for depression symptoms), and the first try was a charm! It stops both the mania and paranoia I was having during my episodes. I am on 4 mg at night. It is a miracle, but I gave it a 9 and not a 10 because it knocks me out."

• Gor...
• March 15, 2024

"After trying 3 or 4 SSRIs and last using Zoloft for 6 weeks, my mania was horrific. As a last-ditch effort, I decided to go on Risperdal due to my sister having been on it for years. I started with a 0.5 dosage, and it changed my life the 1st day and immediately calmed me down. It has been causing me insomnia somewhat, so I'm starting to take it during the day instead of before bed. I have noticed that it increased my appetite for food, so I have to keep that in mind and don't deviate from my usual eating routines. It miraculously is taking away almost all of my OCD, which was my biggest problem in life. Don't be scared of all the bad side effects you may read on different sites because all meds have those and they may not affect you like that."

• hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 2, 2020

"I was prescribed risperidone during October 2018 when I was suffering from a psychotic episode from bipolar 1 disorder. I remember feeling very neutral, slowed down, apathetic, and emotionless. I felt like a zombie. I was stiff in the way I moved. I gained 8 pounds in less than 2 weeks and gained even more after that, going from 128 lb to 148 lb, unfortunately. I had body issues my whole life, and this drug has made me hate my body so much more. The nurses gave me this medication without my consent, not telling me about the problems with weight gain. When I expressed concern about it, they did not care. I have no sexual drive at all. I slept 12 hours a day and still felt tired during the day. My prolactin levels were very high. I lost so much hair. I had acne. It was the absolute worst drug of my life. I do not recommend it at all. Please avoid at all costs. It ruined my life."

• gla...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 1, 2014

"I was hospitalized and put on this medicine approximately 2 years ago. I did great on this medicine. I did start the teeth grinding, but not severe. I tried to give it up because of that side effect, although I only did it while laying down, getting ready for sleep and a few times during the day. I didn't get that exercise high anymore since it made me sort of sedated during exercise. I did get hungrier more often and gained about ten pounds, but overall this medicine has decreased my anxiety, and I hardly ever get panic attacks anymore. I tried other medicines but want to stay on this medicine because, even though the side effects of weight gain, etc., I love the way it relaxes me at night and helps me to sleep."

• bp2...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 31, 2013

"This medication turned out to be awful for my 16-year-old daughter who has bipolar 2 with paranoia. She took 1 mg at bedtime for about 5 months, and although it helped with extreme agitation, she had to increase the dosage to 1.5 mg to keep outbursts under control. After increasing, she slowly began gaining weight due to crazy carbohydrate cravings. She didn't want to change any medicines up, so we left it alone. She gained 10 lbs. in about two months and began lactating! She did not tell me about this until she had packed on an additional 10 lbs. in only one month (water?)! She began looking very swollen and puffy. The psych doctor changed her to Latuda, and she has lost 9 lbs. in a week."

• si1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 16, 2016

Risperidone "I've been on this 8 months. It seems okay. Took the psychotic symptoms away, but getting palpitations, body temperature issues, too hot and too cold, eating a lot more, slowed my metabolism down, insomnia, and flu-type symptoms. I do feel 80% better than what I did, just constant worry about possible side effects."

• Sta...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 23, 2022

"Every time I have felt out of control mentally, risperidone at as low a dose of 0.5 mg calms my racing thoughts, crying spells, anxiety, and bad feelings. I have had to take higher doses when I was younger and my mania was more severe. At 41 years old, 0.5 mg to 1 mg works very well. It does make me a little tired, so I usually take it in the evening. For me, it has always been helpful overall. When my thoughts are very distorted, it is almost somewhat miraculous how much it can help me. Although it works best with less stress, healthy eating, exercise, therapy, and solid supports around you."

• Chr...
• January 5, 2016

"Been taking risperidone for about a month now. Haven't had any real bad side effects like a rash or nausea. I do get light headaches and irritability from time to time, but the gain is greater with the medication. Been eating right and working out since I've read all the comments about gaining weight on this medicine. So far, my weight is steady. I figured controlling it in the beginning is easier than trying to get it back down."

• kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2017

Risperidone "This medication gave me severe anxiety and dissociation-like feelings. I felt as if I was being dragged from reality. It was used as an antipsychotic for my bipolar disorder. I highly recommend you try Abilify instead if you have similar symptoms like I did."

• rus...
• February 10, 2021

Risperidone "Terrible choice by my PA to put me on this stuff. I was only on 0.25 mg, and the first day I was on it, I had to leave work early because I was so confused, felt drained, exhausted. Sleep was absolutely horrible. Couldn't stay asleep. It only got worse as the first full week I was on it, I had zero focus, energy, felt confused at work. I missed the better part of two days of going to work. Went that same Friday, and my PA took me off of it and put me back on a lower dose of Latuda, and I've never felt better."

• Cat...
• July 14, 2016

"I started this medicine about 3 weeks ago and am on good terms. Before, I was borderline bipolar, where I would start getting depressed randomly, which would lead to fights with my mom :( . It has helped!"

• Dav...
• June 18, 2017

Risperidone "I have been taking this medication for about a year. I started off with 0.5 mg. I was still having some evening anxiety, so I asked to be moved to a 1 mg dosage. I still had occasional anxiety in the evenings, so I asked to be moved to a 1-2 mg dosage. I find that moving up to a 2 mg dosage causes me some drowsy issues, and I am currently tweaking it to where I need it. My anxiety is like nothing I have ever seen or heard anyone experience. I know there are other people out there that have the same issues. I think it helps stabilize my highs and lows. I am more a bipolar type 2 person, which means my depressions are slight and my hypo-mania is somewhat great because I feel I can take on the world."

• Mis...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 11, 2016

Risperidone "I am a white female that was prescribed this med, and the results are pretty good. It is covered by my health insurance, filled at a local pharmacy, and given by a nurse that visits our home. I was concerned when I heard about side effects in others, although I feel well. I am over 21, and hopefully this was a good med for me and others. I am a nice girl, and thank you."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2013

"I find Risperidone (2 mg at night) very agreeable and experience no side effects at all. I have been on many meds for bipolar and experienced drowsiness and fogginess on most of them, but with Risperidone, it's almost as if I am taking nothing at all. There might be some slight weight gain, but I started gaining weight when I was previously on Chlorpromazine, so I can't be sure. I am also on 500 mg lithium, half in the morning and half at night. I have been taking Risperidone for the past 6 months, and I hope it prevents relapse, which I have been having almost every two years in the past."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2019

"Risperidone made me feel tired all day. I had a hard time waking up in the morning. Although it helped me control my agitation and mania, risperidone really made me lazy, slow, and demotivated. I decided to decrease this med, despite the fact it really helped me with my anger, agitation, and mania."

• Kat...
• March 28, 2022

"Just took this for the first time 2 days ago at 2 mg. I only took it one time and will NEVER take it ever again. I gradually got less and less in control over my mind and body. I was screaming uncontrollably and rocking and jumping uncontrollably. (The worst mental experience I've had before that is depressive episodes and anger episodes, and I was always somewhat in control.) My heart beat so hard and fast I felt like I was having a heart attack, and I couldn't breathe well, so we called 911. The EMTs said everything was normal, but my heart beat was elevated. I was fully convinced I was dead or dying and hallucinated I was trapped in a cave, and I could feel myself being squeezed by the rocks. I'm not religious, but I pray to God I never go through that again. This lasted 4 hours, then I was able to rest a bit, but not sleep. Today I still feel shaken by the effects of risperidone and anxiety that that would happen again. I also take Wellbutrin, lithium, Lamictal, and spironolactone."

• Pat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 15, 2023

"This medication stopped me from seeing things that were not here in this world. Now, it's like you aren't taking any medication at all. I sometimes miss the positive symptoms that Risperdal took away. I was on Quetiapine for 9 years but it stopped working. I started out on 0.5 mg and didn't notice much other than it caused insomnia. I now take it in the morning with no problems as it did not cause any sleepiness as I read that some people had. I also take 600 mg of Lithium. My prescription was increased to 1.5 mg and that was an improvement. I would rate this medication high because I don't feel any negative effects, only positive. Give it a try, it may really work for your bipolar depression and visual hallucinations. It did for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 26, 2018

Risperidone "At the beginning of taking this medication, I was on 0.5 mg twice a day. Now my doctor upped it to 1.0 mg twice a day...and boy, do I feel drowsy all day long! I even took a pregnancy test because I was so tired. But no, it's the increase in the dosage. If I didn't have 2 young children dependent on me, I would have never gotten out of bed since yesterday. I feel that exhausted. I will go back to the doctor ASAP, I can't walk around like a zombie. I don't know what feeling is worse."

• And...
• July 6, 2019

"I thank God for this medication. I sleep well whenever I take this. There's no racing thoughts, and I can think clearly and do normal things. Whenever I forget to take this med, I always wake up in the wee hours of the morning."