Risperidone and Increased Appetite: What Users Say

• Bri...
• May 6, 2012

Risperidone 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."

• Ove...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 12, 2016

For Autism "My 9-year-old son, who has autism, was put on risperidone about a year and a half ago after being hospitalized for aggressive and self-harming behavior. It has been very effective with the violent behavior. He is still quite argumentative and has tantrums and meltdowns occasionally, but it's much better. The main side effect was weight gain due to his increased appetite. He was always famished! He gained 8-10 pounds in 2 months, which is a lot for a 7-year-old. The Vyvanse that he takes for ADHD is supposed to suppress his appetite, but it wasn't enough to outweigh what the risperidone was doing. After a few months, his doctor put him on metformin. It did the trick. He lost his added weight. The Vyvanse/metformin combo balanced out the risperidone."

• boy...
• January 5, 2019

Risperidone "This medication has saved my child’s life. He has no diagnosis, but he has always been an extremely angry, irritable, and withdrawn kid. Despite extensive testing, we haven’t been able to find a medical cause. He has now been on .25 milligrams of this medication for 2 months, along with the same SSRI he’s been on for a year. As soon as we added this medication, he was able to get back into a regular classroom at school. He started talking to us, joking around and asking us if he can have friends over. He has become such a loving and sweet kid who laughs and has fun. The teachers and therapists we work with are all so thrilled with the positive changes. His dose is very low, so the only side effect seems to be a slight increase in his appetite. But even at this low dose, we are seeing huge changes. For the first time, our son actually seems happy."

• Anonymous
• November 10, 2011

Risperidone for Depression "I take 50 mg of Trazodone and 1 mg of Risperdal for my racing thoughts and 40 mg of Celexa for my depression, all at bedtime, and the Risperdal is good. I get really hungry from it, though. I always snack now before I get to sleep. Besides the hunger, I like this in addition to my other medicines. Before, I would have racing thoughts that kept me from sleeping, and now I don't have as many, which is great!"

• Gor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2024

Risperidone for Bipolar Disorder "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."

• 1ti...
• April 4, 2011

Risperidone for Autism "This medication was given to my son by an ARNP who swears by it. My son cries for no reason, does not help him sleep but makes him eat like a bear, and he is argumentative about everything whenever he takes this. He needs help sleeping, but there has got to be something else more effective for him with fewer side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2012

Risperidone for Schizoaffective Disorder "This was clearly not the medicine for me. The sleeping for 2 days once I went on it thing was okay. I needed it. But it made me so hungry that I gained 30 pounds, so tired that when I took this I cared about nothing, so bored and apathetic so quickly that my life felt without meaning. I began lactating 3 weeks in, and I couldn't concentrate on school. If anything, I got more paranoid...no voices, but OCD and paranoia and agitation through the roof. I was on 0.5 mg in the beginning and eventually went up to 3 mg."

• Inv...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 19, 2015

Risperidone for Bipolar Disorder "It's helped my paranoia, delusions, irrational thoughts, and impulses to self-injure and commit suicide more than anything else. Also helps control the hypomania because I'm not on a mood stabilizer. It just also makes me extremely tired and sedated, and I'm constantly hungry and have gained a lot of weight on it. I've fluctuated in my dosage from 3 milligrams to as low as 0.5. Currently taking 2 to 2.5 right now."

• Tas...
• January 11, 2025

For Autism "Last year, my son, who is 5, autistic level 3, and non-verbal, had behaviors that were incredibly challenging; he was in constant agitation and had aggression that deeply impacted our lives in a negative way. Daily struggles left him anxious, frustrated, emotional, and unable to find peace, which created a stressful and overwhelming environment all the time. However, since starting liquid Risperidone .25 ML with Prozac in November, the transformation has been life-changing. His anxiety, agitation, and aggression have drastically diminished, and he’s now a joyful, easygoing little boy. He does have a bit more of an appetite but not much, and he hasn’t gained any weight in the 7 weeks he’s been on the medicine (which was the doctor's main concern about the medication). I spent so many nights praying for a miracle, and then this happened. I’m so thankful for this medicine!"

• Ano...
• November 11, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been prescribed risperidone for bipolar 1 disorder. I had manic episodes that led to psychosis. I searched high and low for the right meds and dose. I realized risperidone is the best for me at a low dose I'm at 0.5 mg. It is enough to keep me stable, to get a good night's sleep, to be normal. I feel like myself again. Anxiety is also gone. No more manic episodes. It's been a lifesaver, and I thank God for risperidone. The only side effect is it can increase appetite, but as long as you eat healthy, weight can be controlled. It also completely took my depression away and made me motivated and excited for the future. It also saved my marriage and my life."

• let...
• March 26, 2012

For Autism "This has been the only medication that decreased my daughter's aggression. She is a changed person, better able to focus and learn. She is also able to sleep at night. I do have to monitor her blood every few months. Her prolactin level is so high now she lactates. Always thirsty and hungry. Overheats easily and has a dystonic reaction of eyes rolling back. The benefits still outweigh the risks at this point."

• reb...
• April 13, 2012

Risperidone for Bipolar Disorder "I've taken the medicine for a month, and I do notice my mood is a lot better. I have gained 16 pounds almost. It makes me very hungry when I take it. My doctor moved me from 0.05 mg per day to 1 mg per day because of my horrible anxiety. It does help, but not all day. I plan to still give it more time. The weight gain is not exactly good though."

• Buy...
• July 30, 2015

For Agitation "I've been taking it since I was 10 or 11 when I had really bad anger, but after I read some reviews lately of the drug and seen that it does more harm than good, I have decided to quit and see what I was like off it. So far, I realized it made me super sensitive to light and made the world brighter than it really is. Also, now I realize I haven't seen the real world for how many years, knowing this makes me sad. Another side effect is suppressed emotions, and now that I'm off, I'm happier and can feel emotions more, and they're not dulled. They made my memory bad, like I could barely remember what I did yesterday and it was hazy. Made me lethargic and gave me a monster appetite. By the way, I found out I don't have anger issues anymore."

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2010

Risperidone for Schizoaffective Disorder "This medicine has been okay for me. It certainly got rid of most of my paranoid thoughts, but never got rid of all of them. I still had a lot of them, especially present in the night. I'd think there was a serial killer outside watching me or a serial killer in the same room as me or on the chair. It was pretty terrifying. I started Geodon a week ago, and those thoughts completely disappeared, I'm very grateful. Risperdal also made me gain a lot of weight every year and made me very hungry even after I just had a meal. I'm 166 lbs and 5'8". I'm scared of being 200 lbs. I've been on this medicine since I was 14 and severely psychotic and couldn't function at all, so I guess it helped me with that, just made me gain a lot of weight. I'm 22 now."

• Has...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2022

For Anxiety "At first, my depression got worse but improved the next weeks. It was extremely sedative, so I had to sleep more hours than usual. It increased my appetite and destroyed my libido. After 5 weeks, I had to stop it due to extreme sedation and lack of motivation. My anxiety and OCD definitely improved, but the side effects were extremely intolerable."

• rel...
• February 28, 2011

Risperidone for Bipolar Disorder "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."

• Mel...
• January 14, 2021

For Anxiety "Started taking 0.5 mg of risperidone before bedtime. I also take 20 mg of Lexapro for anxiety/depression. I have to say, this drug has helped me a lot so far. Reduced my racing thoughts, intrusive thoughts, and miserable feelings in the morning. I have an appetite and feel like myself again. The only negative is a big appetite and very groggy in the morning. The good night's sleep is nice though."

• ari...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2017

Risperidone for Schizophrenia "This medicine helps with my schizophrenia, calms me down, but that's about it. But the worst things about it are the freaking side effects! Look, I took this medicine in first grade for irritability, took it again in middle school. Now I'm 20 and started back up again a few months ago. It makes me so sleepy that I'm falling into things, I get severe panic attacks, and I'm hungry as hell, hence, why I gained 11 lbs. Oh, and I have this funny, unbearable feeling in my right leg, and it's so uncomfortable, omg! But on the other hand, it's not as bad as Latuda or Haldol, but it's worth it, I guess."

• Loz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 2, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Made me spaced out and a bit existential. Very tired and hungry, but overall did calm me down a lot. I eventually stopped and I realized I wasn't falling asleep in classes or in random places anymore. Still trying to get over the weight gain."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on risperidone for about a week. I started getting chest pain on the second day, but didn't think it was the medication until I was able to see a pattern between taking it and when they would occur. As of day 6 and 7, I am horribly hungry night and day. It also makes me sleepy during the day, which is a pain since I have a young child. My inner anger, which was the main reason I was put on this, has subsided, though, so I'm going to withstand these symptoms a bit longer and see what happens."

• Siw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I was on Risperidone/Risperdal for a little over a month, and it made me very lethargic, made my eyes roll, increased my appetite, and I gained a LOT of weight (close to 15 kg). It did make my auditory hallucinations go away and made me indifferent to the voices in my head, but it was not the best fit for me."

• Med...
• April 11, 2017

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Took this medication for 4 months, it didn't do much but help me sleep. I experienced lactation, enlarged breasts 'went from a B cup to a Double D,' hunger to the point that I never felt full no matter what I ate, obsessive sweating, and the worst thing was that I gained 40 lbs in 4 months. I was originally 130 lbs and topped off at 170 lbs and flushed the remaining medication and had zero withdrawals. Unfortunately, this was 3 years ago, and no matter what I do, I cannot lose more than 10 lbs, and I gain it back off and on. I am getting my thyroid tested to check if it caused it to become inactive or underactive. Because I have never weighed more than 135 lbs even after having 3 full-term babies. This medication should be removed from the market!!!"

• tyh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2021

Risperidone for Schizophrenia "Took this for psychotic depression. It made me unnaturally tired, like I was fighting the effects of a sleep medication all the time! I also started overeating and was constantly hungry (like with Zyprexa). I did feel less anxious, but it wasn't worth it. Wouldn't recommend based on my experience. One note if you're autistic like me - some people report being more sensitive to side effects. It was complete news to me, but it makes sense with my history."

• Bsd...
• January 12, 2016

For Schizophrenia "I am on risperidone for 2.5 years. It seems to be okay for its main purpose - I haven't had any hallucinations since I started it. However, I have been leading a very balanced and calm life without any major stresses, which seemed to be the main triggers of my psychoepisodes in the past. But! I've gained 25 pounds in two years, and I have never been overweight in my life. Plus, over time, I developed a very disturbing hunger that never stops, even after I eat a lot. I feel full when my stomach is literally full and stretched. But after an hour, I feel hungry again. In addition to that, stomach pains - not too sure if it's caused by excessive eating or a side effect on its own. Other minor side effects are muscle pains, nightmares, and memory loss."

• Mor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2022

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I was given Risperidone for my Borderline Personality Disorder and schizophrenia. I can't remember my exact dosage, but it was increased over time, and it worsened my mental state. I'd heard before that it would help my mental instability and mood swings, along with helping me regulate myself mentally overall. It did not help me, and the strongest side effect I got from it was the increased appetite. I went from 60 kg to 78 kg in 3 months. I was constantly eating, even when I wasn't hungry, and I couldn't stop, even when I wanted to. I was eating until I was sick, and even though I didn't want to at all and was painfully full, my brain would just tell me to get more and more because of the increased appetite. It is impossible to fight your appetite. I had to be taken off it because it was making me worse, but I was still left with an increased appetite and habit of overeating even after I was long gone off it. I do not recommend it, ever."