Risperidone for Schizophrenia User Reviews

• Ara
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2020

Risperdal (risperidone) "Risperidone saved my life. Before it, I was suffering from delusions and I was paranoid all the time. But ever since being put on 2mg, all the delusions have stopped and I can function like a normal human being. I've had no side effects whatsoever. I was scared of starting risperidone because of all the negative reviews but it is honestly the best antipsychotic I have tried (and I've tried three). I haven't put on weight, I haven't got an increased appetite, I am not drowsy, I am not lazy or zombie like and I am not lactating."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 2, 2018

Risperdal Consta (risperidone) "Can't play sports any more on med. Can't think straight. Constantly tired. Don't even have enough drive to bathe myself. This drug suppresses me in all aspects. The schizophrenia isn't even that bad in comparison to this. It's torture being on this. One day society will see how bad we were mistreated ."

• Anonymous
• June 16, 2009

Risperdal (risperidone) "I used to hear voices on a daily basis, especially when I was near a fan or running water, the noise turned into words. Since I have been on Risperdal I have had a significant decrease in the voices to where they are almost gone. If I don't get any sleep or I am really stressed out the voices come back, so I try to get plenty of sleep and avoid stressful situations. I give Risperdal an A . The first week on Risperdal I was extremely sleepy. It was really hard to wake up, but now I am fine and my body has adapted to the medication. You should try it. The peace of mind I get from Risperdal is priceless. I used to think my thoughts were being broadcast out loud and now my own thoughts are much quieter."

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

Risperdal (risperidone) "I was admitted to the hospital and prescribed Risperdal. I recently went from 3mg to 2mg. 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 40lbs and remarkably I was able to lose 50lbs since starting Risperdal."

• Hef
• April 12, 2019

Risperdal (risperidone) "I was forced to end taking haldol 2.5 mg/night after 27 1/2 years -over 10000 days- because they stopped making it. I was prescribed risperdal. I started at 2mg a day and they reduced the dosage to 1 mg. I also stopped cogentin and Prozac because of strong discomfort. After around 40-50 days of risperdal I didn't sleep as well and felt utterly horrible like a zombie- like it was torturing and destroying my brain. I came to my senses and rid myself of all medication whatsoever since it seemed to be harming my brain and not helping me sleep and have recovered from all mental illness in about 5 days and am getting somewhat less sleep but feel a lot better overall. So the medicine was good in that it convinced me to get rid of it and all medication and completely recover. I believe people who take risperdal should be reviewed after 30-50 days or so and given the option to stop taking it and maybe all medication if they have horrible zombie like side effects like I did."

• Job
• January 21, 2012

Risperdal (risperidone) "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 coudn'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 benzotropine for side affects, 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 month, But feel sane again. Seems to work for 7 hours, then paranoid again."

• Meh
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 19, 2019

Risperdal (risperidone) "Just my experience, your mileage may vary. Odd tunnel vision as it takes effect. After about 2 weeks, expect your wife to be very “unsatisfied.” If your job involves mental math or coding, this will become much more challenging. It dulls your emotions even beyond what your horrible affliction will. I became an impotent robot with no processing power. The cure, at least for me, was worse than the disease. I have since learned to ignore, or at least recognize and not take them as absolute reality. Mental gymnastics and proper training are equally effective; the side effects of Respirdal are life altering in a bad way."

• My...
• September 14, 2011

Risperdal (risperidone) "My son had severe acute psychosis and 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."

• mom...
• October 11, 2010

Risperdal (risperidone) "I'm very frustrated right at the moment. My son who is 37 years old and has been on risperdal for 5 years. Now he decides he doesn't need it anymore. Well the voices are totally out of control. He can't even hear me when I talk to him, because the voices are so loud. He doesn't sleep, he talks constantly to them. I just wish he would take the medicines. We've been dealing with this for 17 years, so I do know that this medication works to quieten the voices."

• awano
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 17, 2018

Risperdal (risperidone) "This is a life destroying drug.I have anger issues and this drug was mixed in my food by my family. I couldn't read a book, enjoy music or watch TV .My thought process became impaired.I suffered from the worst kind of akathisia, endlessly walking for seven months and had suicidal thoughts. I became drowsy, lost all motivation and couldn't care about anything. I was able to come off it after a great struggle and remained drug free for eleven years and was able to enjoy all the things I couldn't because of this drug. Unfortunately, however, my siblings have again mixed it in my food as I had to stay with them. All the side effects are back and life feels like a nightmare devoid of purpose again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2020

"I’m helpless as I can’t think anymore. There is no more excitement! There was a time when I’d feel happy about nature. I loved going for walks, when I was in London I’d go out. I was in bliss. Suddenly I’m sinking... it’s helping me so much by removing psychotic thoughts (all gone) yet it’s ruining my happiness. I ask: is there an alternative? I want my happiness back, I want to be able to exercise again, I don’t want that fear of going out, I want to be able to think as I read... I’ve lost interest in movies, music, studies and sports. Has anyone felt so tired on it? Has anyone been sprawled on bed like me the whole day doing nothing?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 1, 2020

"I was put on this about 2 years ago! I was hearing things and seeing things and completely lost my mind and was admitted and this is what they put me on! At the time it saved my life and made me feel normal again! But as time went on I noticed I didn’t get excited about anything anymore I had no emotions! I gained a lot of weight I went from 150-210lbs. I stopped having periods. It made me have the worst anxiety ever. I’m currently weaning myself off of it! Come to find out I had an over active thyroid and had radiation done and was told I can come off this medicine! So it was my thyroid that made me go crazy and put on this medicine! I’m glad to say I’m coming off of it! I’m ready to enjoy life and have my feelings back! Hope this helps someone!"

• Jace
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2019

Risperdal (risperidone) "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 Respirdal I had severe insomnia and was easily moved to anger. On the down side 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 w/ my doctor for med adjustment."

• Learn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 29, 2019

Risperdal (risperidone) "I started out on 1 mg and went all the way up to 4 mg then all the way back down to 1 mg again. Currently staying at 1 mg in order to have semi normal cognitive function. When I went up to 4 mg. I was catatonic for 6 months until the dose got lowered down to 1 mg. Everyone is different but felt like it shut my whole brain down the bad AND the good. Good luck."

• Charl...
• August 16, 2017

Risperdal (risperidone) "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 have gained."

• Hopel...
• December 14, 2016

Risperdal (risperidone) "I don't have schizophrenia I am undiagnosed. I was having issues with family and certain things in my life. Taking this meds made me feel worse with most of my symptoms. I had moments where I felt over tranquillized and trouble communicating how I really felt. I know I felt better before the medication. Now that I am off of it my list of negative side effects is quite large. I wouldn't reccomend this medication to anyone. Especially if you have an endless diagnosis in the first place. Be careful believing what your Drs say. They get all of their recommendations from pharmaceutical companies. Once I was off of this medication Drs. Refuse to listen to me. They just recommend I take it again or take other drugs. They refuse to admit their mistakes. They refuse to acknowledge anything."

• someone
• March 14, 2013

Risperdal Consta (risperidone) "I've been on this injection for nearly 3 years, at first it seemed like it wasn't working and after going off my medications once before I didn't find that there was much of a change but after 3 months or so I started sleeping at night peacefully without the constant confusion and voices in my head. I also had started doing a better job at work and was able to focus on doing simple tasks which then seemed impossible."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2019

Risperdal (risperidone) "This has helped a lot for my daughter's hallucinations. She was not diagnosed with schizophrenia, so her hallucinations are related to either her epilepsy or something else. There have been a couple of times where she stopped taking it because she felt better, but then the hallucinations would come back. She had to go on the highest dose after she stopped taking it the first time, so if you find this works for you or a loved one, just make sure they don't stop abruptly."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2023

"Really awful drug! It made my legs very rigid and I had Parkinson-type symptoms. I also had difficulty sleeping. I would fall asleep easily but I would wake up every night and I couldn't fall back asleep no matter what I tried."

• anony...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 11, 2021

Risperdal (risperidone) "I have to say that some of us have nothing better to do with our time than just writing anonymous reviews with our creative nom de plumes. I have read many of such reviews on many websites and I have come to the conclusion that many of them are reflections of the user's mind. Some say they have an increased appetite while others say the exact opposite! Strange. This is why I would like to say that Risperidone has made me gain weight because I now have a ravenous appetite; it made me tired the whole day until I was put on Fluoxetine by my shrink who took so long to tell me that Fluoxetine removes the tiredness (partly). Early mornings are the worst - it is as though I am flooded with demonic thoughts of not having to bathe. Brilliant way to start the day. Joanna Moncrieff is right about some things but she gets it wrong when she calls this drug as having a 'placebo' effect. Not really. It has removed all my delusions and hallucinations."

• jano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2021

Risperdal (risperidone) "this medication saved my life, I was dealing with psychosis PTSD and derealization like was suffering 24/7. This medication made life bearable I still have some times where I don’t feel the best, but nothing compared to what I was dealing with. The side effects were pretty ruff the first week or two but I was also very sick but I pushed through since again they were nothing compared to what I was dealing with. This medication was my last straw I tried everything now I don’t know what I would do without it."

• HannaKK
• March 21, 2017

Risperdal (risperidone) "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 30lbs. 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."

• Daza2j
• November 9, 2008

Risperdal Consta (risperidone) "This medicine, although it has to be administered by IM every 2 weeks has been WONDERFUL. I've been on it almost 2 years now. My husband gives me my injections at home. I don't even think I have eexperienced any side effects. I am more focused and relaxed and not as flat."

• xcore...
• March 2, 2009

Risperdal (risperidone) "I don't really believe I have an issue. I do admit I hear voices and see things other people can't, but I don't believe they're hallucinations. Anyways. When taking this medication the voices went away, the walls stopped melting, things stopped changing color, people weren't after me as much and stuff. It didn't take the visuals away 100% and I was less afraid. It didn't help my mood as much as it should have (I also have mood problems). "

• Faz
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2020

"Risperidone has been awful for my schizophrenia. I have thought broadcasting, where other people around me can hear my thoughts. After using Risperidone 1-1.5mg, I now have telepathy, which is making my life really difficult. People can now insult me over really long distances by putting their thoughts in my brain. I have telepathy with friends and family, but they are often not nice, and I would rather not be connected with them all the time. Risperidone has made my condition worse, and I now have more than 1 Schneider First Rank Symptom of schizophrenia."