Risperidone and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 5)

• cal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2019

For Autism "I was recently diagnosed with ADHD (Inattentive type) and Autism (Asperger's type). For years, I'd had no luck with SSRIs, having literally tried just about every one. 2 mg of Risperidone has given me a new sense of calmness and stops me from becoming agitated. I use this along with Concerta XL (27 mg) Methylphenidate (5 mg) for ADHD, and Trazodone (150 mg) for insomnia. This medication combination is not without side effects, but the benefits outweigh them. I found I was overeating at first and put on weight. But thankfully, Concerta XL has removed this side effect. I couldn't live without Risperidone."

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

Risperidone for Bipolar Disorder "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."

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

For Bipolar Disorder "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

For Bipolar Disorder "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."

• Dav...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 19, 2020

For Schizophrenia "Risperidone is not worth the overall sadness it caused me. I am always fighting with my weight and struggle as I have no motivation and feel lazy and just struggle with basic stuff. I still see and hear things that are not there, and my body aches all the time."

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2012

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "My 12-year-old son was placed on this medication, 0.5 mg at night, and later we added 0.5 mg in the morning. After 5 months on the medication, he had gained a lot of weight. He had always been physically fit and active. The medication flattened his mood, he lost interest in activities, and it did not help his rages. We stopped the medication, and now a month later, we have our son's spark back. He is happier and more active. At some point, his post-traumatic stress disorder/anxiety will trigger, and we will have another rage, but in the meantime, we have a much happier, loving child. The only downside of quitting Risperdal is his lack of focus for schoolwork."

• Emi...
• November 28, 2016

For Borderline Personality Disorder "With this medication, which I was on for a month at 0.5 mg, I felt nauseous constantly, I felt feverish, and I gained 10 pounds without having much of an appetite. I developed restless legs, shaking, and tremors. At one point, I fainted and fell to the floor shaking. It never relieved any of my symptoms. It was only like taking a pill that made me sick. Now, I'm not saying this isn't the right medication for you, only that it had these adverse effects on me."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2021

Risperidone for Schizoaffective Disorder "This is the only antipsychotic that did not cause me to gain weight. It's also the only antipsychotic I didn't 'feel' (tired, apathetic, no emotions) when I took it. When I was put on doses too high for me, I felt it, but not as strongly as other antipsychotics I've been on in the past. I keep my normal eating habits on this and a normal weight and really go about my day not thinking of it. I feel like my normal self on this and I'm not going to try other antipsychotics because this works for me. Weight gain and apathy were my biggest issues with other antipsychotics in the past, and Risperdal is the only one I've tried that does not cause these side effects in me."

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

For Bipolar Disorder "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."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 29, 2024

For Borderline Personality Disorder "It has changed my life. Now that I have it in my life, I can't imagine being without it. I don't know how I functioned before. Not only has this drug changed my life, but it has saved it, too. The only downsides are 1) weight gain and 2) lowered libido."

• kma...
• June 1, 2011

For Paranoid Disorder "After taking risperidone for 6 months to relieve my panic, fear, and irrational thoughts associated with my PTSD, I encountered very little relief. What I did gain was the weight. I gained 50 lbs in 6 months with no change in eating habits. After voicing this concern to my doctor, I was taken off the medication with no withdrawal effects, and in 10 months' time, I lost 49 lbs with no exercise and eating a healthier low glycemic index diet."

• jmn...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 2, 2017

For Asperger Syndrome "Used to take 3 mg, but it was too sedating. I currently take 0.75 at bedtime, and it keeps me calm during the day. I only feel a little irritable at times still, but nothing like prior to taking risperidone. Just 10 lbs of weight gain, which I think I needed. I take it in combination with antidepressants, and it works very well."

• Spa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2021

For Anxiety "My MD has been asking me to try it for a while. I was scared because of the side effects like weight gain and TD. Finally, I said to myself, just try it, you can’t live the rest of your life like this. I’m 57. Well, this is a lifesaver, zero anxiety coupled with intrusive and obsessional thought. I feel like I can finally breathe instead of being in that cramped, anxious OCD state. It was the best decision I made."

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

For Bipolar Disorder "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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 2, 2014

For Asperger Syndrome "I was put on risperidone to treat my Asperger's syndrome five years ago while I was on a psych ward. I'm not sure if I'm just a one-off case, but the medication made me REALLY depressed. I couldn't enjoy anything while I was taking it. I had to be given Prozac to balance it out. I also gained a huge amount of weight, which I gradually lost after I stopped taking the medication (without any dietary changes whatsoever). On the bright side, it did bring me out of my shell. I was able to get the help I needed from the nurses. Since then, I haven't had any problems even after I stopped taking it. The medication was useful in the long run."

• Fle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "I was put on risperidone due to severe anxiety. I was almost always having a panic attack. My mind has always gone a million miles a minute. This was the only drug to ever slow it down. In fact, it made my mind silent. The only time my head has ever been quiet was when I took this medication. I liked it because I needed the break. I needed the quiet. But it was so quiet that I wasn't able to hear my intuition anymore. I've always been able to tell when something bad would happen, or if I was in an unsafe space. I pick up on other people's moods sometimes before seeing them, I can not only feel it, but I would hear it too. On this med, I couldn't hear anything. I also gained a lot of weight. Having an eating disorder previously, this weight gain really affected me. I asked to be taken off and asked for help losing the weight. It was nice to have my head quiet for the first time ever, but I'd rather be able to hear my intuitive thoughts and not be overweight."

• COC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2019

Risperidone for Schizophrenia "My husband was just prescribed this, however, he is already drowsy, unmotivated, and gaining weight. I am looking for a better option for someone who has been hearing many voices for years. Please help."

• Anonymous
• April 7, 2011

Risperidone for Schizoaffective Disorder "When I started Risperdal, it made my whole body shake the first day, but after that, I was restless every day, and I couldn't sit down for long periods of time. The medicine helped a lot with delusions and hallucinations (including audio) and helped a bit with reality perception but did not help with irrational thinking. Gained 15 lbs."

• LG2...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 22, 2018

Risperidone for Mania "Pros: Decreased delusions, decreased hallucinations due to mania (diagnosed bipolar 1). I felt calmer mentally and physically throughout the day even though I would take the risperidone at night. I started out at 4 mg (to kick mania in the butt) for the first 2-3 months and then tapered off to 1 mg at bedtime. Slept 7-8 hrs every night for almost 1 yr!! Which was great because I have insomnia too. Cons: Lactation (lasted 1 week), amenorrhea (missed period) effects only 2% of women, and I was one of them, straining when urinating (happened 2 times), high cholesterol, weight gain, and muscle spasms. I rated this drug 5 out of 10 because of the side effects. Since being off the drug, I got my period back very intensely, my cholesterol is getting slowly back to normal, lost the weight, and muscle spasms are pretty minor to almost none."

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

Risperidone for Bipolar Disorder "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!"

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

Risperidone for Bipolar Disorder "Worst experience on this drug! Developed sciatica, gained fifty pounds on it, and had my first gallstones flare-up on it. Was on it for about six months. Beware! Make sure whomever injects knows how to do it. Was in pain from the sciatica for about a year after discontinuing the drug."

• 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."

• wan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 18, 2018

For Schizophrenia "I had a period of psychosis, and I started taking risperidone last March, and I haven't had any relapses. I have gained a couple of pounds, I am worried that I also feel emotionally flat. Don't know if I should try 1 mg instead of 2 mg or eventually wean off out of fear of a horrible relapse that would ruin everything. I felt anxiety increase at doses higher, up to 6 mg. Still suffer from anxiety and worry over basically everything."

• Dan...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 12, 2018

For Schizophrenia "I am now thinking that after 15 years of being on Risperidone, it might actually be the cause of all my weight gain. Don't get me wrong, I always had a weight problem before the pills, but thinking about it, I have gone from 120 kg to now a whopping 240 kg. There must be some hope for me, I will try a high-protein diet. It's like I always have the munchies, and my mouth always craves food. I am on 2 mg a day, if that helps."

• Tpi...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 4, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "I am a 65-year-old woman. I have bipolar disorder, mania, anger, and a number of other different conditions. I tried a lot of drugs, and nothing was helping, until I found risperidone! In 2019, my life changed. I'm taking 8 mg, both tabs at night. My side effects have been crazy, a lot of loose bowel and about 15 pounds of weight gain, which has been an issue. But for what it's worth, being more normal feeling outweighs the side effects."