Why is Risperdal Prescribed?
Risperdal is FDA-approved for treating schizophrenia, mania in bipolar conditions, and irritability in autism. It is approved for both children, adolescents, and adults.
Off-label, Risperdal has also been used for anxiety, insomnia, borderline personality disorder, depression, conduct disorder, and other uses. Doctors can legally prescribe a medication for just about anything, even when no research supports such practices.
Risperdal has also been prescribed along with other medications when efficacy was poor – such as when an antidepressant or mood stabilizer failed, and similar scenarios.
Risperdal and Metabolic Changes
Risperdal has been on the market since the early 1990s. Since that time, research has sought to explain some of the long-term effects associated with Risperdal. Research out of Korea has shown long-term metabolic changes associated with antipsychotic medications. These adverse effects include abdominal obesity, significant weight gain, insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes, as well as hypertension.11
It was found that aerobic exercise and diet management were helpful in reducing the obesity and weight issues associated with antipsychotic medications.18
Risperdal’s Effects on the Pituitary Gland and Prolactin
It has been shown that over time, Risperdal very frequently overstimulates and enlarges the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland, among other functions, produces the hormone known as prolactin. Prolactin is involved with over 300 human body functions. Prolactin’s roles include to manage reproductive health, sexual function, fertility, lactation (expression of breast milk). menstruation, male breast augmentation, and many others.
Research published in the Frontiers in Psychiatry Journal reported that elevated prolactin levels were the leading side effect of Risperdal, and that it was the main reason for non-compliance – which can lead to hospitalization due to the crushing withdrawals when the drug is abruptly stopped.19
When prolactin is elevated, the long-term effects include development of tumors in the pituitary gland, anxiety, depression, sexual impairment, hostility, mood alterations, memory loss, breast cancer, psychosis, cardiovascular risks, and many others.
Risperdal and Long-Term Sexual Impairments
The sexual impairments of Risperdal affect up to 80% of both females and males – including children – taking this medication. The sexual side effects are thought to be associated with the suppression of dopamine receptors, and is also thought related to how the drug impacts the adrenergic and histamine and possibly other receptors.
16,17,19 Sexual side effects of Risperdal can include:
- Irregular menstruation, menstruation stopping altogether
- Priapism (persisting and painful penile erection)
- Male breasts
- Male lactation (milk from nipples)
- Female lactation not associated with childbirth
- Loss of libido
- Anorgasmia in both males and females
The Development of Movement and Neurologic Disorders
Risperdal can induce several types of movement and neurologic disorders, shown below. Many but not all of these have been found to reverse, at least in part, after cessation of the drug. Some may persist even after discontinuation, and some may become permanently disabling or fatal. 14,17
Movement and neurologic disorders associated with long-term Risperdal include:
- Parkinson’s syndrome
- Tardive dyskinesia (often irreversible)
- Akathisia
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (altered mental state, lead-pipe rigidity, fever, can be fatal)
- Floppy iris syndrome
What are the Various Brand Names for Risperidone?
Risperidone is sold under various brand names including these:
- Risperdal
- Uzedy
- Perseris
- Risperdal Consta
- Risva
- Rykindo
Risperdal’s Black Box Warning
The FDA’s black box warning 1,2 on Risperdal’s package must include the following statement:
WARNING: INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS
See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. RISPERDAL® is not approved for use in patients with dementia-related psychosis. (5.1)
Both prescribers and patients and their loved ones should read the package insert and get any questions answered about prescribed drugs.
How Do Holistic Treatments Approach Mental Health?
When it comes to severe mental health crises, time and other constraints often make immediate medication the only available choice. However, after the crisis is seen to pass, holistic treatments may offer other pathways to recovery of mental health issues. For example, CBT is recognized as an excellent tool for mental health recovery, for many different issues one may struggle with.12,13
Not everyone may be a candidate for total discontinuation of antipsychotic medications. But some most definitely have had success with this approach, when dose reduction is done correctly, at a very slow and measured pace, and with adequate supports in place to ensure stable long-term recovery, including the reversal of overstimulation of the pituitary gland and the effects of over-secretion of prolactin.7,8,16
It is a known fact that schizophrenia and other syndromes are prone to misdiagnosis for a wide range of reasons.15 And there is a rich evidence base for the effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatment for first-episode psychosis, mania, depression, insomnia, and many other of the afflictions that plague our modern life. Diet modification, counseling, neurotoxin removal, physical exercise and many others are some of the many holistic treatments ATMC offers.
ATMC’s first premise is to search for underlying causes, the root causes that precipitated or contributed to a mental health crisis or set of symptoms that required intervention. And after the crisis has abated, there is always time to explore the reasons for symptoms. And it is possible that addressing the underlying causes can bring about recovery without relying on a lifetime of being heavily medicated.
What Can a Person Do to Safely Reduce or Discontinue Antipsychotic Medications?
If you have other questions about Risperdal, and long-term effects, and treatment options, don’t hesitate to call on us for information. This is our area of expertise.
There are a wide range of safe and healthy alternatives to Risperdal that can be gradually blended into a personalized Risperdal withdrawal program at the Alternative to Meds Center.
Sometimes a drug just isn’t working for a person they way they hoped it would. The long-term effects may have created a scenario where alternatives could provide a better recovery path. But in any case one should never abruptly discontinue any antipsychotic medication. Doing so could be catastrophic.
You can call ATMC any time for an informed consultation to find out what other options are available to you or for your loved one. If you are looking for inpatient help, we offer the most compassionate and comprehensive program anywhere on the planet. We would be happy to speak to you about ATMC’s programs for antipsychotic withdrawal, neurotransmitter rehabilitation, orthomolecular treatment, and other holistic approaches to treatment.
