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Increase Your Awareness with Basic Facts about Risperidone
Nikki and Anne Heart ♥ April 21, 2026
*Picture displayed is a general pill and should not be used as a pill identifier.
The following highlights the facts. More information can be obtained through the sites listed below as well as many other informational sites regarding prescription drugs. Medication facts can change. Make sure you have all up-to-date information.
Quick facts YOU Need to Know
Risperidone brand names:
- Risperdal®
- Risperdal® M-TAB®
Risperidone is in a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics.
Risperidone is FDA-approved indications for oral risperidone (tablets, oral solution, and meltable tablets) include:
- Schizophrenia (adults and children 13 and older)
- Bipolar I acute manic or mixed episodes as monotherapy (adults and children 10 and older)
- Bipolar I acute manic or mixed episodes adjunctive with lithium or valproate (adults)
- Autism-associated irritability (children aged 5 and older)
Risperidone the long-acting risperidone injection has received FDA approval as a treatment for:
- schizophrenia
- maintenance of bipolar disorder (as monotherapy or adjunctive to valproate or lithium) in adults.
Risperidone Off-Label Uses:
- to treat various psychotic symptoms when they are present
- to treat borderline personality disorder, delusional disorder, delirium, depression, various brain injuries, pedophilia, posttraumatic stress injury, bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Tourette syndrome, trichotillomania, speech disorders (eg, stuttering), movement disorders, and developmental disorders.
- In addition to psychotic symptoms, risperidone is also prescribed to treat aggression and agitation in patients with dementia, to augment antidepressant therapy for patients with non-psychotic unipolar depression, and for social impairment, stereotypical behaviors, cognitive problems, and hyperactivity in patients with autism
Do not try to push the orally disintegrating tablet through the foil. Instead, use dry hands to peel back the foil packaging. Immediately take out the tablet and place it on your tongue. The tablet will quickly dissolve and can be swallowed with or without liquid. Do not chew or crush the tablet.
Possible side effects of Risperidone:
- nausea
- heartburn
- stomach pain
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- constipation
- dry mouth
- increased saliva
- increased appetite
- weight gain
- anxiety
- agitation
- restlessness
- breast enlargement or discharge
- late or missed menstrual periods
- decreased sexual ability
- dizziness, feeling unsteady, or having trouble keeping your balance
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your healthcare provider immediately:
- fever
- stiff muscles
- sweating
- confusion
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- problems with coordination or increased falls
- unusual movements of your face, tongue, or body that you cannot control
- tightening of the neck muscles or throat tightness
- difficulty swallowing
- seizures
- rash
- itching
- hives
- swelling of the face, throat, lips, and eyes
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
- painful erection of the penis that lasts for hours
- fever, cough, chills and/or other signs of infection
Sources used:
- National Library of Medicine, Risperidone, McNeil SE, Gibbons JR, Cogburn M. Risperidone. [Updated 2024 Nov 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459313/, accessed March 4, 2026
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, Risperidone, accessed March 4, 2026.
IMPORTANT WARNING:
Older adults with dementia (loss of memory and brain function) may have an increased risk of death if treated with antipsychotic medications such as risperidone. Older adults with dementia may also have a greater chance of having a stroke or ministroke during treatment with antipsychotics.
Risperidone is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of behavior problems in older adults with dementia. Talk to the doctor who prescribed this medication if you, a family member, or someone you care for has dementia and is taking risperidone.
- Know how YOUR medication should be taken
- Risperidone should not be chewed or crush
- Realize cutting or altering a medication can change how the drug is released into your body
- Be Aware of misinformation regarding medication
Learn More
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