Anxiety Medication Overview of Risperidone

Risperidone is the generic name of an atypical antipsychotic that is sometimes prescribed off-label to treat anxiety and anxiety disorders. It is sold generically and under the brand name Risperdal and is approved by the FDA to treat schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, manic or mixed episodes of bipolar disorder, and irritability in autistic children.

Risperidone is available as a tablet, oral liquid, injection, or wafer. The tablet or pill form is generally prescribed when risperidone is used to treat anxiety. At least one research study has found that low doses of the medication are effective in treating anxiety, specifically treatment-resistant generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Risperidone also appears to be effective for some people with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but only when taken in combination with an SSRI.

Risperidone and other atypical antipsychotics can have sometimes serious side effects, including weight gain and metabolic problems, but they are generally less pronounced at lower doses of the medication. Atypical antipsychotics block dopamine receptors in the brain, but risperidone additionally has stronger blocking action for serotonin receptors.

Photo: Pexels

More Articles

According to an online poll conducted by the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, over half of women reported increased anxiety or depression...

Here comes that dreaded feeling of overwhelm.

It is not just that you have a lot to do. In fact, you may not have that much to do, but your...

Stress can strike anyone at any time, but anxiety occurs when stress is present for an extended amount of time, from several months to several...

Much of our anxiety rests on assumptions that we have made. We assume the worst possible scenario will come true. We assume we know what others...

The expression "worried sick" caught on for a reason--it is not uncommon for anxiety to produce nausea as a symptom. Severe anxiety or fear cause...

SITEMAP