Risperdal and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Swe...
• September 30, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Risperidone has really helped me. I used to be either depressed or manic. My thoughts are clear and my mood is stable now. I would like to mention that I have not gained a single pound on this drug. Always, always, always... take this right before you lay down at night to go to sleep. Take this pill, then lay down and go to bed. That way, you will sleep your way through the munchies. I take it as though it is a sleeping pill and it works for me. I just wanted to share, in hopes that this will help someone else struggling with weight gain."

• Joe...
• August 23, 2014

For Autism "My son was on risperidone at 4 years old for aggression associated with Autism. This medication has changed his life. No more aggression and very happy. He is now 8 and doing great. We did attempt to take him off to see if he still needed the medication at age 7 and all his past behaviors, hitting, kicking, swearing, crying came back immediately. With my son, we could not miss a dose and has to be given at the same time each day. He is now on 3x per day 0.5 given at school by nurse for afternoons. He has had no major side effects. He is very tall and very skinny. When he first got on the medication he became overweight, we changed his diet to more fruit and protein and the weight came off quickly. Highly recommend this medication."

• orc...
• October 26, 2019

For Autism "I was given this horrific drug, Risperdal, at 14 years old because my anger was out of control. I had an eating disorder and gained over 20 pounds in 2 or 3 weeks despite starving myself. The weight kept piling on. I was very uncomfortable and couldn't get used to it. It makes me angry that mentally ill people are expected to just live with the uncontrollable weight gain for the sake of mental health. I felt like I was constantly in a fog. I could barely understand or react to anything anyone was saying, I had uncontrollable jerky tics. My night terrors got way worse. I fought my parents tooth and nail to get off this drug. They tried to hide it in my food and drinks, but I saw pieces and grinds of it every time. After a few weeks, I stopped taking it. I found out later the tics and movement problems can be permanent if you stay on these types of drugs for long. I'm not sure how long though. Doctors kept trying to push anti-psychotics on me, and I flat-out refused."

• Mom...
• May 26, 2019

For Asperger Syndrome "My son was given risperidone at age 6. He took it for 2 weeks. He became a blob. Sure, the teachers loved it. He was sweet, not hyper, and easy to manage. The downside? Yeah, he was a blob of a kid just sitting there, dull as can be, and then on his tiny frame, he gained TEN POUNDS IN TWO WEEKS. Two. He couldn't even put his jeans on! OMG. I took him off of it, and he was back to being hyper, laughing, and fun, but annoying. So, suck it up, teachers. He just is what he is. Needless to say, today, a few years later, after ABA therapy and other therapy, he's just fine. Stay away. I also found out that Risperdal causes boys to sprout breasts and lactate. The next psychiatrist we had said NEVER put a boy on that medication... they grow breasts. So yeah, not a good medication for us."

• gat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I've tried a lot of different meds, my favorite by far is Lamictal, but it stopped working after 10 years. I started Risperidone a year ago. It makes me calm, I hardly get angry, I have no anxiety, and I have not had an episode since I started it. I feel great on it in general. The downside is that it makes me lazy, I'm so chill now that I'm totally comfortable just sitting on the couch. I feel relaxed and balanced, but without the anxiety, I have no reason to get up and 'run it off'. The biggest and worst issue I have with it is the damn weight gain. I've always been super fit and thin, but now I have a belly that I just can't get rid of. If it didn't work so well for my mood, I would get off of it immediately to lose my weight. I would still recommend it and I won't be stopping it anytime soon."

• som...
• March 20, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "This has to be the best medication (at least for me) for bipolar disorder, paranoia, and anxiety. I have had bipolar episodes since my teens, now in my 30s, and every time I have a bipolar episode, this medication almost works instantly. What I mean by works instantly is it snaps me out of my mania and unwanted thoughts quickly. It does take a few weeks to work fully, but if you are someone who suffers from bad mania, this is the right medication for you. Luckily, I did not experience bad side effects from this medication. I have had some muscle stiffness in my neck, some twitching and muscle spasms, and slight weight gain. Also, my menstrual cycle was thrown off. Additionally, it helped my somatic symptoms, and I was able to live my life again. A+++med"

• Jam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 21, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Risperdal saved my life. I was hospitalized two times with psychosis, and this is what they gave me. It took a few weeks to really kick in. At first, I was tired. I have been on the medication for almost five years now. I am able to live a normal life, although I still have some depression. I take 4 mg of Risperdal, which I just increased from 3 mg because at times I would have mild hallucinations or delusions when tired or the like. They are almost non-existent now, really just coming on if I have caffeine. I did gain weight, but not meaningfully so. The trick is to watch your calories and exercise as much as possible. I would recommend trying this for severe psychosis. I also take 600 mg of lithium, which seems to help my mood. I like to think that the lithium helps protect the brain from the damage Risperdal can cause. Without Risperdal, I wouldn't be here by now. Every day is a blessing and a gift!"

• pup...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 20, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I was admitted to the hospital and prescribed Risperdal. I recently went from 3 mg to 2 mg. I've been having really bad swallowing issues on this med, and we're hoping the lower dose helps with this. Otherwise, a great medicine for me. I've been active in the community and able to control some of my unusual thoughts. I would recommend this medication, but be cautious of the side effects. I've been on the med for 2 years now. I gained 40 lbs and remarkably, I was able to lose 50 lbs since starting Risperdal."

• Job...
• January 21, 2012

For Schizophrenia "I smoked a lot of marijuana as a young man. Me being a late bloomer, I think it affected my brain chemistry. One day I felt an explosion in my head, after that I started hearing voices and became really paranoid. I finally admitted that I needed help, after seeing that I couldn't hold a job, snapped at people, starting fights with people for no reason, insane thoughts and a brain I couldn't control, I was prescribed Risperdal for schizophrenia, Ativan for anxiety, and benztropine for side effects, all these medications for what my kind doctor called a brain disorder. Stopped paranoid thoughts, delusions, gained social skills back. No libido, 15 lbs weight gain in a month, but feel sane again. Seems to work for 7 hours, then paranoid again."

• My...
• September 14, 2011

For Schizophrenia "My son had severe acute psychosis and a possible diagnosis of schizophrenia at age 17. Risperdal (Risperidone) brought him back to his normal self, for the most part. He has put on weight (2 trouser sizes bigger) and he is inclined to rock back and forth a little when seated. He is slightly less motivated and says he doesn't retain information as he used to at school. This may be improved by adjusting the dose. But this medicine gave me my son back and seems well-tolerated by him. The psychosis is completely gone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking it for about 3 months now, and it works very well. I do not have those strong unrealistic negative scenarios anymore, no voices, no feeling like disappearing, all that is gone, and it minimized my unreasonable fears. I do have long moments of almost total lack of emotions, and I do not feel much in general (I used to be an enthusiastic person) but I do not mind for now, it was terrible not to be able to control inexplicable feelings. I did not gain weight (just a bit, but I also take Wellbutrin). My only concern is how I am going to be when I stop taking this medicine."

• She...
• January 17, 2010

For Depression "This medication kept me calm and gave me a good night's sleep. I woke up early in the morning with energy and looking forward to starting the day. However, none of this means anything to me since it caused me to go from 145 pounds to 210 pounds."

• Bri...
• May 6, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I was on this for about 6 months when I was 15. It's the only thing that has worked for me. I was able to go to school. Had great relationships with everyone. Only had one bad mood swing and I was having them every day before I got on it. But I also gained 20 pounds and I could never get enough to eat. I've tried about everything and this was the only thing that helped. It doesn't make you feel funny or blank like a lot of them. But if you eat healthy and can ignore the always wanting something to eat feeling, this is an amazing medicine and will change your life."

• ano...
• June 14, 2013

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Risperdal is my miracle. I put on about 30 pounds in the course of 18 months but that is nothing as to the improvement it has made on my mental well being. Gone are the sleepless nights staring at the ceiling, delusions of grandeur, and being overly worried about life's ups and downs. The psychosis has diminished to the point where I no longer need medication to remain stable. If symptoms ever return, I know this is the medication for me. Also no unpleasant side effects from coming off it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2017

For Autism "My son is autistic, he is 10 years old. My son's doctor recommended Risperdal for him because of his aggressive behaviors. After 3 months on the medication, he has been more agitated, and he put on 15 pounds. So the doctor wants to increase the medicine. I will not be doing this increased."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I have psychosis NOS (not otherwise specified), and I am currently taking 2 mg once daily. My temperament is better. I am not as easily agitated and sleep better at night. Prior to Risperdal, I had severe insomnia and was easily moved to anger. On the downside, I gained 20 lbs in about 2 months, my affect is flat, and my energy level is very low. I force myself to exercise, but I seem to be experiencing muscle tiredness and some coordination problems. I plan to speak with my doctor for med adjustment."

• Cha...
• August 16, 2017

For Schizophrenia "Risperdal has made my life manageable again. I suffer from PTSD and schizophrenia primarily with thought disorder (although I have hallucinated and heard voices). I used to scream in my sleep and thought everyone was trying to kill me. When I started Risperdal, the terrifying thoughts stopped and my behavior returned to normal. I take Risperdal with a combination of gabapentin and Zoloft. I now have a very good job and good relationships with my friends, family, and co-workers. There are downsides to this drug, such as weight gain. I gained a lot of weight the first two years I started taking Risperdal. It is important to note that I have since lost a good bit of the weight I gained."

• Sco...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 1, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "Made me 'flat' and apathetic to everything. Also caused hyperprolactinemia, leading to leaking breasts. Also caused me to gain 35 pounds over several months. Only marginally effective at treating the racing thoughts, etc."

• Jel...
• June 8, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Have been taking Risperdal for almost a year now. I tried Seroquel before for some months, but it made me super drowsy throughout the day, and I couldn’t function. I take Risperdal for severe depression, mania, and extreme hallucinations. I would see cartoons and things appear before me, hear voices/sounds in my ears, or feel things on me (someone patting my back or grabbing my legs when I’m alone in the room). I started off taking 0.5 mg once a day, then upped it to 1 mg. Was on 1 mg for a while. It worked well for me. I stopped seeing hallucinations, and for the most part, my mania and depression have lessened or gone away. I woke up every day feeling refreshed. Even my period cramps were usually less painful than before. Everything would go downhill when I decided to stop the medication, all the symptoms would come back quickly and badly. I didn’t gain significant weight from the meds, and I’ve had moderate acne. Seems like it’s going to be really hard to leave this medication."

• sad...
• July 3, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking this medication for about 9 months, and I completely lost myself. I gained 40 lbs. I feel unmotivated all the time. I feel sedated, it is not me anymore. I am a perfectionist, and Risperdal is definitely the deadliest medication ever for me. I hate taking it, but I have no other choice. If another medication works for you, just stay away from Risperdal, it is awful."

• Loo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2019

For Autism "At 0.5 mg, it made my mood swings and overall irritability a lot less chaotic and more manageable. It made me able to think about what I'm feeling and why. It's not perfect, but it's a huge aid. For me, it had certain drawbacks, like slight weight gain and oversleeping, which made me look for other options."

• DAM...
• June 27, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder about 8 months ago and placed on Risperdal after ending up in the hospital due to a nervous breakdown, 6 weeks after my diagnosis. I was prescribed 0.5 mg in the morning and 1.0 mg in the evenings, but I felt like a zombie. It did curb the severe mood swings, and I also gained about 10 pounds in the first month. I didn't like feeling disconnected from the world and not being able to focus or concentrate, so I independently reduced my evening dose to 0.75 mg. I immediately felt better. I'm still struggling with a low sex drive, depression, and have a few moments of hypomania (restlessness, agitation, 'geeked up'), so now my doctor wants me to go on Depakote 500 mg twice a day instead."

• Han...
• March 21, 2017

For Schizophrenia "I wish I could give Risperidal/Risperidone 0 stars. Worst medication I've ever had to take. Made me so exhausted despite getting 12 hours of sleep a night and made me gain 30 lbs. This medication slapped the heart right out of me, and I was a zombie, devoid of any emotion for months. I wouldn't slip this to my worst enemy."

• Ada...
• January 6, 2010

For Autism "My son took this drug for a few years, and I was told he would have 'mild' weight gain. 40 pounds later, we had to take him off of it because the weight gain was compromising his overall health. I can't really say I noticed a big difference while on it anyway."

• Ano...
• November 2, 2013

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I'm taking this after a few antipsychotics didn't work, and I was hospitalized a few times for the first time in my life. My bipolar diagnosis changed to schizoaffective disorder, then schizophrenia. The delusions and paranoia were very scary. I was on 2 mg for a while with Ativan and Celexa, and I gained weight over the course of all the medicines, but it needed it. Weight gain stopped when I stopped Celexa. No paranoia. Now I'm taking 1 1/2 mg and have less anxiety, on a day I went back to 2 mg, I had more. I still have anxiety and will ask my doctor to increase my Ativan from 2 back to 3 mg or lower my Risperdal down to 1 mg. I am also on lithium and have hand tremors from that and Risperdal, but feel stable. It's so worth it. I'm staying on it."