What Is Risperdal Used For

This post explains what is Risperdal used for, how effective it is for some Autism symptoms (mainly irritability), and the mild to serious Risperdal side effects in children with Autism. Before you read on, we strongly recommend reading our Autism Medication Parent’s Guide

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Risperdal for the symptomatic treatment of irritability in both children and teens with autism spectrum disorders. This is the first FDA-approved drug treatment for behaviours associated with autism.

This was not a brand-new medication. Risperdal (generic name risperidone) had already been used for years, including for some autistic children with co-occurring conditions such as bipolar disorder.

What Is Risperdal Used For?

In short, Risperdal (risperidone) is used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and for severe irritability in autistic children aged 5 to 16, such as aggression, self-injury and intense meltdowns. It does not change autism itself.

Risperdal is an atypical antipsychotic medication that was originally approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and manic episodes of bipolar disorder in adults. Abilify, Geodon, Clozaril, Seroquel, and Zyprexa may be more familiar names to you. Along with Risperdal, these medications have been shown to improve behavioral, aggressive, oppositional and hyperactivity symptoms in children with psychiatric problems other than schizophrenia.

The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Risperdal as safe and effective for irritability in autism, including aggression, self-injury, mood swings and temper tantrums in people with autism. They have also noted that risperidone is the generic form of Risperdal and has the same uses, dosages, and side effects.

Note: Risperdal children usage is only approved by the FDA for autistic children between the ages of five and sixteen.

Effectiveness of Risperdal in Children

Medications like Risperdal are considered to be “strong”. Parents often see a dramatic improvement in their child’s behaviour after taking Risperdal. This is especially noticeable when a child often hurts siblings or themselves, or has frequent mood swings. For these reasons, parents might be keen to try Risperdal, at the advice of their physician, even though there might be a few side effects of Risperdal in Children.

Risperdal Children Side Effects

Some of the Risperdal side effects in children are pretty well known. It is between you, the parent, and your physician to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks. The good news is that 7 out of 10 children taking Risperdal have significantly improved their aggression and behaviour.

Impact of Risperdal on Neurotransmitters

Risperdal works by blocking some of the brain’s receptors for two chemical messengers (neurotransmitters), dopamine and serotonin. In some children this reduces irritability, tantrums, aggression and self-injury, although scientists do not fully understand how it works in autism. You may notice your child is more sensitive to temperature and temperature changes. One of the side effects of taking Risperdal is you can become overheated or dehydrated very easily. Make sure your child drinks lots of water and other fluids and wears clothing appropriate for the weather.

Mild to Moderate Risperdal Side Effects in Children

Here is a list of less serious or moderate side effects of Risperdal in Children:

• Feeling excessively hot or cold
• Light-headedness or dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Problems falling asleep and staying asleep
• Cough
• Mild to moderate skin rashes, mainly on the trunk of the body (discussed below)
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Headache
• Feeling drowsy
• Increased appetite
• Restlessness
• Sore throat
• Stomach pain not associated with any other symptom
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Occasional lapses in concentration

The most common side effects are drowsiness, constipation and weight gain. Sleeping during the day can disrupt sleep at night, which can make the next day harder for your child. If you notice your child is not sleeping at night and tired during the day, call your physician as the dosage or time of day the medication is taken may need to be changed.

You should keep a list of any side effects, even those that seem minor. Discuss them with your physician so that these minor side effects can be noted in your child’s record and used as a baseline to determine if Risperdal is the correct medication for your child. One side effect may seem insignificant however it is very important to note any weight gain and report it to your physician. Children taking this medication have been known to gain six to eight pounds in the first eight weeks of taking Risperdal.

Common Risperdal Children Allergic Reactions

There can be some minor to significant allergic reactions to Risperdal and/or any of its generic forms. Continued medication in spite of these allergic symptoms may lead to adverse side effects. Any of the following allergic reactions should be reported to your physician immediately and, depending on its severity, you should seek immediate medical attention:

• Difficulty breathing
• Hives
  • Hives are raised, often itchy, red welts on the surface of the skin. They are usually an allergic reaction to food or medicine.
• Swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat
• Fast or uneven heartbeat
• Excessive sweating and light-headedness
• Uncontrollable shaking

Some Adverse Side Effects of Risperdal in Children

There are also some serious side effects that may occur. Should one of these side effects emerge DISCONTINUE/STOP taking Risperdal and call your doctor immediately. Do not take the medicine before your physician inspects your child. In case, you observe any of the symptoms marked in red, rush to the hospital or get in touch with your country’s emergency helpline. Click here to find the full list of worldwide emergency numbers.

• Tremors, uncontrollable shaking that will not stop
• Fever
• Convulsions or seizures
• Confusion and disorientation
• Fast or irregular pounding heartbeat
• Drooling
• Uncontrolled nosebleeds
• Flu like symptoms
• Fainting
• Trouble swallowing
• Penis erection that lasts for more than four hours and is painful
• White patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips
• Restless muscle movements of your eyes, tongue or mouth

Long-Term Side Effects of Risperdal in Children

Risperdal is also known to have a few long-term side effects. However, these could be avoided through regular check-ups and precautionary measures. You will probably not notice these effects right away but will need to monitor (initially weekly, later once every 3 months) when you first start taking Risperdal. These are:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Breast growth (applicable only for teenage boys)

Over prolonged use, your child may have severe headaches which could indicate both high blood pressure or diabetes. He or she may feel like fainting, which again could be either high blood pressure or diabetes. Both conditions need to be tested and diagnosed by a physician. Though serious, they can be easily managed by your doctor but YOU need to report it immediately for an evaluation.

Note: The above list covers the most commonly known side effects of Risperdal in children only, and it’s not necessarily an exhaustive list. Exercise caution while administering the doses and follow guidelines set by your physician in order to benefit the most out of this drug. Also, there are additional side effects of Risperdal in adults (especially men) but they have not been covered in this article since Risperdal for Autism is only approved for children between 5 to 16 years of age.

Other Risperdal Children Side Effects

Just like any other medication, alcohol can increase some of these side effects. You may argue that this post is dedicated on what is Risperdal used for in children and alcohol use for kids is prohibited by law. But hey, we use alcohol in food too; especially in desserts like Tiramisu, black forest cake or Christmas pudding. Your child’s thought process and reaction time may also be affected by taking Risperdal over a period of time.

Risperidone for Children: Key Facts for Parents

If your doctor has suggested risperidone for children, or Risperdal for kids, these are the key points to understand before you decide:

• What is risperidone used for in children? In autism, it is prescribed for severe irritability, such as frequent aggression, self-injury and intense meltdowns. It does not change autism itself, and it does not teach communication or social skills.
• Risperdal and risperidone are the same medicine. Risperdal is a brand name and risperidone is the generic name, with the same uses, doses and side effects.
• Common risperidone side effects in kids include increased appetite, weight gain, drowsiness and tiredness. Your doctor will usually check weight, blood sugar, cholesterol and hormone levels regularly.
• Look for the cause first. Aggression and self-injury are often a sign of pain, illness, sensory overload, anxiety, poor sleep or not being able to communicate a need. Ask your doctor to check for these, and work on the environment and communication supports alongside any medication.
• Combine it with other support. Medication tends to work best together with behaviour support, communication tools and changes at home and school that reduce stress.
• Don’t stop suddenly. Talk to your doctor before changing the dose or stopping, unless your child has a serious reaction that needs emergency care.
• Review it regularly. Ask how long your child should take it and when the dose will be reviewed, so it is never used for longer than needed.

Should I Use Risperdal for my Child?

I am glad you asked! So, in spite of so many side effects, why should the doctor recommend Risperdal for my child? You may be asking yourself, should I put the overall well being of my child at risk by subjecting him/her to Risperdal? Well, the answer is yes and no.

To be honest, I am not a big fan of medication for Autism. If your child is borderline autistic, or has some form of high functioning autism syndrome, then the risk may not outweigh the benefits. The same applies to co-occurring conditions like ADHD / Sensory Integration Disorder or Oppositional Defiant Disorders. In these cases, and almost certainly in most other scenarios, behaviour therapy would be the best approach to start with.

Having said that, sometimes a child with severe or classical autism may become so distressed that they may harm themselves or others in close proximity. Under these circumstances, Risperdal is a very potent medication and in most cases the side effects (if they have any) may still be well worth the risk as this medication (if used as prescribed by your physician) can lead to a significant reduction in aggression and self-injury. It works best alongside other support, not instead of it.