Risperidone? Help?

Shaney - posted on 07/06/2011

I have a son who is on Rhisperdone.I give him a small dose1 hour before he goes to bed so he can sleep during the night. It really works and he does a better job during the day. It's the only med that I will allow his doctor to persribe to him. He only needs it once a day.

Pandora - posted on 07/04/2011

my son has borderline intellectual functioning and ADHD he is on Concerta

Karen - posted on 03/30/2011

have you tryed a adhd med for him my son has been on risperdal for many yrs at first i seen a difference but he was 8 then and 14 now not sure if it is still working as well but does calm him at night and he sleeps well with it

Shawna - posted on 03/29/2011

Hi all! My daughter is almost 7, diagnosed with aspergers, ADHD, Odd, rad, and possible bi-polar. Her psychiatrist just put her on risperidal. She had been on remeron for about a year ( still is) but it just was not helping her down cycles enough. Our biggest battle is that my child continues to soil herself everyday and refuses to listen or follow adults directions. Anyone else have a non-potty-trained child? Found any techniques that work? She does not seem to be motivated at the prospect of being a big girl, does nit respond to long or short term rewards and does not care about punishments....

Beth - posted on 07/26/2009

Wendy: I'm sure I'm speaking for all of us when I say our thoughts are with you. Welcome to the group; it has been the first one I felt really spoke to what I've been going through, and thought I was going through, all alone. You're not alone. I think that helps. Plus there are a lot of women out there offering advice. You'll have to sift through it, but I still think it's a WHOLE lot better than depending on the docs alone! Beth

Wendy - posted on 07/26/2009

Hi I'm new but I felt I had to comment. My son was on risperadol for 11 month and although his appitite didn't change he got a major budda belly and man boobs. When we took him of it our doctor changed it to liquid proac which goes in his juice first thing in the morning and keeps him calm all day. (only a small dose). He has autism, O.D.D, A.D.H.D and possible Bi-polar disorder. All this and his only 10.

Beth - posted on 07/25/2009

Risperdal has been a huge help in getting our son's violent tantrums under control. (I haven't been bitten since he started on it, for instance, and generally speaking he's more reachable and redirectable when he's starting to lose it.) But I agree, if all you're talking about is ADHD, try the stimulants, not an antipsychotic, though be aware there can be bad side effects there too. They usually try Ritalin first ,since it's been around the longest, but it would first make our son a zombie--we struggled with medicating, but our son is SO hyperactive, we finally broked down last summer, when he was 5. Then when he came off it, he had an awful "rebound"--he would have even worse violent episodes. We've finally landed on Adderall XR, which helps him focus in school (still in a very small, structured class) but I'd rather try Stratterra when I can finally get him to swallow a pill. (He just turned 6; we sprinkle the Adderall in applesauce, you can also use yogurt.) The Stratterra is the only nonstimulant out there for kids on the spectrum for hyperactivity ,plus it's also supposed to help with rigidity and perseveration/anxiety. They say it only works in a small number of kids, but our psychiatrist says that may be because they're still perfecting the dosage and haven't been giving kids enough yet. A couple more things about Risperdal: another key side effect to watch for is tics. So far, knock on wood, we've had no side effects. Also, it comes in a dissolvable tab they just put in their mouths, so it's actually the easiest ot the meds to administer. Also, it builds in their bloodstream but you cannot miss a day. If you do, you have to start over. The stimulants work, then leave the body. Good luck. Beth

Tracey - posted on 07/22/2009

Hi Venetia,

My 8 year old son was put on Risperdal in February of this year. He was diagnosed with Aspergers and Anxiety in Jan 2008. It was a godsend to finally get the diagnosis as I was beginning to wonder whether it was my parenting skills and I am sure the finger was being pointed at me by other parents when picking him up from school. His behaviour when in a situation he does not know or like becomes very violent and he tends to run off. We started on Prozac and Clonodine but this only helped with the anxiety. Risperdal has helped the violent behaviour. We have experienced the consipation, but not the weight gain. He is happier in himself with no noticable personality changes at all. I was reluctant to resort to drugs but it has been wonderful for him emotionally, his relationships at school and his/others wellbeing. I am now not sitting by the phone each day dreading the phone call from the school to pick him up! Hope this helps.

Tracey

Eloise - posted on 07/22/2009

A friend of mine with a child with autism was on risperidone actually got more violent and more hyperactive. I suppose you would have to try to see how it works with him. I have heard good reports about it on other children. My son also has autism but has never been put on risperidone, only had everything else but. Good luck. I debated for a long time whether he was too young to be having all the medicaitons he's on but i in the end decided he would not learn anything at school or have any chance of having any friends without it. I think you would see within the first day of him taking it if it was of any assistance.

Tammy - posted on 07/21/2009

My six year old daughter has been taking Risperdal for the last 1.5 years...it took us quite a while to agree to a child so young taking anti-psychotic meds...for her (and us) it has been a godsend! Her violent and agressive outburst are much more managable and she is able to interact with other children her age. She has been diagnosed ADD and Oppositionally Defiant. She has had no side effects, but has to have blood work done every six months to check her prolactin levels. My only concern is that there is no knowledge of what the long term effects may be - but we had gotten to the point that we could no longer manage her without help. Hopefully some of this infocan help you

Jeanette - posted on 07/21/2009

My son was on it for two years in Middle School, but it caused him to gain weight, which led to more bullying, since he is also not well coordinated and runs awkwardly, and has gradually done less and less physical activity as a result (he walks daily, but used to play soccer and try more things than he does now). Eventually, he became nauseas on the drug and developed tremors, and his doctor took him off it and went to Geodon, which supposedly works similarly but doesn't increase weight. I helped calm him as well, but tremors developed later and now he is off that too and no longer seems to need it.

Tina - posted on 07/20/2009

I agree with using a stimulant for hyperactivity rather than an antipsychotic.

Sandra - posted on 07/20/2009

well venetia,
my son Bryan is almost nine years old is is on risperdal since last february. he used to be very agressive towards his little sister, as well as to our pets.
since he is on meds his behavior has almost immediately changed. he is a lot calmer, he is open for conversation when he does something wrong and is just more easy going.
he gained only a couple of pounds, but he could really use them.
risperdal really helped us a lot... take care xx

Janna - posted on 07/20/2009

Well, my son was on it 3 different times over the course of about 6 years. I can tell you, it does have a side effect of constipation. And I can tell you, my son actually held his bowels (he is an Aspie) for a whopping 8 months because he couldn't go to the bathroom while on the Risperdal.

I can also tell you another time, he had hallucinations in school while on this med a different time.

It IS the ONLY antipsychotic approved for kids. And, I do know SOME kids that have had great response to it.

It all depends on the child. However, I would be concerned because, if your child has no acts of aggression and anger (which is what the atypical antipsychotics are partly for), and he's only displaying hyperactivity, they really should have tried a stimulant (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, Vyvanse, etc) first. Not an antipsychotic LOL! I mean, that's a little wow.

Tina - posted on 07/19/2009

I am also considering this for my 12 yr old daughter. She is on the max dose of zoloft and still has anxiety/ocd/rigidity. She really hates taking pills, so I am waiting.

Jenny - posted on 07/19/2009

My son is 9 with PDDNOS. We took him to a psychiatrist who immediately prescribed risperidone for occasional outbursts and 'hyperactivity'. His behavior was immediately improved (almost too much) but he had a racing heart rate- follow up ECGs didn't show any changes but I was still nervous so I took him off of it. He had also gained 7 pounds in the few weeks he was on it. We switched psychiatrists and he is now on a small dose of prozac with a small dose of clonidine. The result was not as immediate but there has been a complete transformation of his personality to calm without the other side effects.

Michelle - posted on 07/18/2009

My son is 7 and he has PDD- Asperger's, Childhood Epilepsy, ADHD & OCD, & he is on Risperdone. He has been on it since March for his behavior and to calm him down. He has actually even slept better. I did not even know he was not sleeping well until he started the medication and slept with my husband one night. He always used to move around and kick us, now he does not do that. He has not had any weight gain or side effects at all. I have heard of al lot of kids with autism taking this medication also. My 4 1/2 old daughter takes it for Bipolar Disorder. I hope that info. helps.

Venetia - posted on 07/13/2009

My son doesn't have violent outburst, he just get really really hyper and a little wild, but he hasn't really acted out per se. He just runs around and jumps and all the stuff a hyper kid does. I guess this is why I am asking for help. My sister, who is a RN in the pysch ward at one of the local hospitals, says it won't change his personality. It would just calm him down. I guess she has seen quite a few patients on it, but what she sees and what parents see are a whole different thing. Thanks for the input.

Jani - posted on 07/13/2009

Hi Venetia,

I have a 14 year old son with autism, OCD, and epilepsy. He has been on Risperdal and the generic Risperidone for several years now. His behaviors were extremely severe and violent and there was improvement in our case. Please note that he has NOT experienced the weight gain that many children have except for that of normal growth however many of our friends did see weight gain which can be monitored by your doctor. Another unpleasant side effect that you need to watch is the increased levels of prolactin that may occur. This unfortunately causes abnormal breast growth an effect my son did see. While it is managible and not that noticable at this time his levels of prolactin are being monitored. I hope this helps. If you would like please request me as a new friend on facebook. We have been through it all. Maybe we could find some comfort in sharing stories! Jani Sblendorio

Jani - posted on 07/13/2009

Hi Venetia,

I have a 14 year old son with autism, OCD, and epilepsy. He has been on Risperdal and the generic Risperidone for several years now. His behaviors were extremely severe and violent and there was improvement in our case. Please note that he has NOT experienced the weight gain that many children have except for that of normal growth however many of our friends did see weight gain which can be monitored by your doctor. Another unpleasant side effect that you need to watch is the increased levels of prolactin that may occur. This unfortunately causes abnormal breast growth an effect my son did see. While it is managible and not that noticable at this time his levels of prolactin are being monitored. I hope this helps. If you would like please request me as a new friend on facebook. We have been through it all. Maybe we could find some comfort in sharing stories! Jani Sblendorio