Risperidone
SGA • Last reviewed 2025-09-23
Brands: Risperdal
General Information
Indicated for: Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for: Treatment of schizophrenia ( 1.1 ) As monotherapy or adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate, for the treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder ( 1.2 ) Treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder ( 1.3 ) Second‑generation antipsychotic (SGA) Also available as a long‑acting injectable (see LAI section below).
Dosage & Administration
Typical dose range: 2–6 mg/day
Indications (label)
Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for: Treatment of schizophrenia ( 1.1 ) As monotherapy or adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate, for the treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder ( 1.2 ) Treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder ( 1.3 )
Mechanism (brief)
D2 and 5-HT2A receptor antagonism; alpha-1 and H1 effects.
Metabolism & Half‑life
- Metabolism: CYP2D6 to active 9-hydroxyrisperidone (paliperidone).
- Half‑life: ~3 h (risperidone), ~21 h (active moiety).
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM)
Recommended: No
Long‑acting injectable (LAI)
- Interval
- q2wk
- Oral overlap
- Yes — ~3 weeks due to lag
- Site
- Deltoid or gluteal
References
- Risperidone labelExact (2025)
- Pharmacological treatments for antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia: network meta-analysis. — Translational Psychiatry (2022)
- Risperidone and prolactin: safety review — Review (2019)
- Risperidone efficacy in schizophrenia: meta‑analysis — Meta‑analysis (2018)