Risperdal for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• MrL...
• April 29, 2009

"This helps me calm down and sleep at night when I'm manic, but I noticed a weight gain of 10 lbs, and I feel sluggish during the day. I also dream more often, which may or may not be a desirable side effect."

• rel...
• February 28, 2011

"My 11-year-old started taking this about a month ago, and what a difference it has made. He is finally able to control his anger and think more rationally. However, he is constantly 'hungry.' All I can do is educate him on good nutrition while on this medicine."

• Cad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 5, 2018

"Works quite well, but beware of side effects. I'm an autistic person and also bipolar 1 with psychotic features. Before I started this, I had horrible episodes of mania and depression, and it made a huge difference. I had almost no manic episodes, decreased irritability, and it almost completely eliminated the auditory hallucinations. However, the weight gain was unbearable. I gained 80 pounds in a year that I still can't lose, and diet and exercise did nothing to stop it. I didn't change medications sooner because it worked so well that I was scared to stop it, and I was convinced eventually the weight gain would stop, but it didn't. Stopped my monthly cycle completely, though I wasn't complaining about that."

• Jai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2020

"I haven't experienced serious side effects, only blurred vision and drowsiness. I have been taking the meds for 1 month now. So far, so good. I was prescribed this medication after 2 manic episodes I had that were practically back to back (after 3 weeks)."

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

"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."

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

"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

"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."

• ter...
• February 10, 2010

"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."

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

"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."

• Dav...
• June 18, 2017

"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."

• rus...
• February 10, 2021

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2018

"I have bipolar disorder, been hospitalized and prescribed risperidone 4 mg. It made me very ill and extremely paranoid. Experienced more panic attacks. My legs and arms would go numb. I had such a bad experience on this, I currently am on lithium now and finding this much better."

• Pos...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 19, 2016

"This was the worst drug I have been on since I was diagnosed in 1998. I was on the injection for about six months, gained a lot of weight (50 pounds), and had a horrible gallstones flare-up in which I was diagnosed with the condition (after fainting in public). I was put back on Abilify and prefer the oral pill every day to the injection! One nurse didn't inject me correctly, and I developed sciatica for longer than I was on the medication!"

• Ell...
• January 17, 2018

"I was hospitalized for major depressive disorder and placed on risperidone 1 mg and Celexa to combat depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. My feelings are that risperidone made me feel like a zombie, caused my thinking to be slower and less clear. I put on 50 pounds in the course of 20 months on this medication, and that is even with regular exercise. So I do not think risperidone is worth the terrible side effects that it brings. I am now on Zoloft and coming off risperidone completely."

• gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2017

"Saved my life. Was put on this in the hospital, and my depression was out of the suicidal level in three days. About 5 days on it now, and have had some recurring moderate depression, however, my pdoc says it should take full effect in 2-4 weeks."

• Mel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 15, 2017

"I left a review once before, but have to add to it. I took this medicine for a while, and it helped stabilize my mood. Everything was great, until one day I noticed I was secreting breast milk. The doctor checked my prolactin level, and it was very high. It was in the 100s. I had to stop taking this medicine, which is unfortunate."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2022

"Risperdal is a life saver. I take it for existential OCD, depersonalization/derealization, and bipolar depression, along with Venlafaxine 75 and 100 mg Lamictal in the morning. It is a life saver. My mood is better. I don't have mood swings. I don't have intrusive thoughts about reality anymore. Also, intrusive thoughts don't control me anymore! Also, I am not dissociated anymore. It helps me to be attached to reality. The first week was like hell. But after that, I started getting better. Give it a try and wait until it works!"

• bip...
• November 17, 2009

"Better than some drugs, but Lamictal has been better. I still had manic episodes on this medicine, but sometimes I would forget to take it. Yet I knew there were times when I was taking it that I still got manic. But my spouse could tell the difference when I wasn't taking it, so it must have done something for me."

• Jyn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 9, 2019

"I started taking this a few years after I had my son, and after some months, I started to notice it made me start to lactate again, with chest tenderness and swelling. Needless to say, I had to stop taking this medication."

• DJe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 25, 2018

"I've been on this med for almost two months. I started on a low dose, but lately I have had to increase the dose to get the most benefits from it. Initially, it will make me tired, but my acute mania would return after a couple of weeks. Been on 4 mg for 3 weeks, but have noticed that weight gain has been an issue for me, but I'll just have to watch what I eat and exercise more. Currently jumped to 5 mg and willing to give it a try. Not too many side effects, like somnolence, anxiety, and fatigue, which go away within two weeks. However, I take other meds, so I'm trying to figure out if I need a mood stabilizer or other meds that I'm taking. Just want to feel better and finish my degree as an adult student without the excessive tiredness. But I've been on Seroquel before, but I got type 2 diabetes from it. For restlessness, I take Cogentin and it works great."

• Kvo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 8, 2022

"Risperdal helped my bipolar 1 psychotic symptoms go away after two years in psychosis. I take 7 mg at night daily, and it is easy to take. I had deep depression and take Lexapro with two mood stabilizers (Risperdal and lithium carbonate ER). Right now, I have some depression I’m working on. I can drive and grocery shop and weed the garden, but I’m still a bit critical of myself (depression) and ruminate (from the depression). I realize there might not be a perfect fix for me. Risperdal makes me think more clearly and manages my mania. I’m able to function and talk with others, make light of life, and be a part of society… something I am working more and more towards. I gained 30 lbs or so on Risperdal, but it is worth it… I am a size large in clothing, and I take care of myself by eating healthy and gluten-free."

• Has...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2022

"It seems that Risperdal is slow to achieve results, or I may be in a hurry to get results. My younger brother has been bipolar for 20 years and does not take treatment regularly. I started giving the treatment 3 weeks ago every day, one tablet in the morning and one in the evening, in addition to the mood stabilizer. If any advice from someone who has experience, I would be glad if they offered it, because I want my kind and gentle little brother to practice his normal life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 18, 2022

"Risperdal is life-changing. It brings complete stability. You can thrive on this medication. Staying on this med has helped me to rebuild my life and go to college, work, and take care of my family. I’m calm and happy. There may be times you need to increase or decrease meds to find your happy place, but overall it’s a miracle drug for bipolar 1."