Risperidone

Definition

Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic medication primarily used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and irritability in autism. It works by altering the effects of chemicals in the brain.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Risperidone can cause side effects such as weight gain, diabetes risk, and extrapyramidal symptoms.
2. It is often preferred over typical antipsychotics due to its lower risk of tardive dyskinesia.
3. Risperidone is metabolized in the liver by CYP2D6 enzymes.
4. The drug has a black box warning for increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis.
5. It has both dopamine (D2) and serotonin (5-HT2A) receptor antagonist properties.

Review Questions

• What are the primary conditions treated with risperidone?
• Why might risperidone be preferred over typical antipsychotics?
• What are some common side effects associated with risperidone?

Related terms

schizophrenia: A chronic mental disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking.

extrapyramidal symptoms: Drug-induced movement disorders that include acute and tardive symptoms.

tardive dyskinesia: A side effect of long-term use of antipsychotic drugs causing repetitive, involuntary movements.