Understanding Risperidone Withdrawal

Risperidone is a medicine prescribed to treat mental conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and certain behavioral problems. If used as prescribed and advised, risperidone helps manage the symptoms of these conditions. However, if misused, for instance, by being used longer than advised, it can lead to addiction. If you stop using risperidone on your own, it is likely you will go through risperidone withdrawal.

We at We Level Up California would like to help you understand this medicine and its effects. Furthermore, we want to share our input on the symptoms of risperidone withdrawal, ways of managing them, and where to seek professional help. Keep reading for this valuable information.

What Is Risperidone?

Risperidone is a prescription medicine used to treat certain mental conditions. It comes as tablets (including tablets that dissolve in your mouth), a liquid that you drink, and in the case of treating schizophrenia, it can also be given as an injection. It does not have an immediate effect but rather takes days (sometimes even months) for some of the symptoms it addresses to improve. It´s important to note that risperidone can´t cure your condition, but it helps keep your symptoms under control. 

What Is Risperidone Used For?

Risperidone is prescribed for several reasons, including:

Risperidone works by affecting neurotransmitters like dopamine. When someone uses this medication for a period of time, they may become dependent on the drug, which can trigger Risperidone withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop using it. Risperidone withdrawal can be very uncomfortable, which is why professional assistance is recommended.

Risperidone Side Effects

Like any other medicine, risperidone may cause side effects. Some of them are flu-like symptoms, while others can be more severe.

Risperidone may cause children to gain more weight than expected and for boys and male teenagers to have an increase in the size of their breasts, making it especially important to discuss side effects with your doctor before opting for Risperidone for your child. If you notice these changes, speak to your doctor about your future course of action. Do not cut on risperidone on your own, as it can lead to risperidone withdrawal, requiring professional support. 

Risperidone Withdrawal Symptoms

Although you may have heard the term “withdrawal,” the term “antipsychotic discontinuation syndrome” may be new to you. Antipsychotic discontinuation syndrome is a name for the collection of symptoms that may occur when someone suddenly stops an antipsychotic or drastically lowers their dose. The limited research that does exist suggests that around an astonishing 70% of the people who stop taking antipsychotics may experience antipsychotic discontinuation syndrome.

A person may stop taking their antipsychotic medication for various reasons, such as:

• the medication is (or is perceived to be) not effectively treating symptoms
• it is causing unbearable side effects
• the person does not think they should be taking the medication
• the patient does not agree with how they were instructed to take it

Symptoms that may be experienced during risperidone withdrawal include:

• Runny nose
• Problems with muscle movement, including involuntary muscle contractions, the inability to stay still, and/or uncontrollable movements
• Vomiting, nausea, and/or diarrhea
• Difficulty sleeping, restlessness, anxiety, and/or agitation
• Dizziness

Risperidone withdrawal symptoms generally appear within the first few days after you stop the use or significantly reduce use. The symptoms tend to be the most severe around the one-week mark and subside after that. 

Risperidone is sometimes prescribed with other types of medication, such as antidepressants, during depression treatment. Suddenly stopping or significantly decreasing an antidepressant can cause an antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Therefore, if an individual suddenly stops both an antidepressant and an antipsychotic medication, they may experience additional symptoms along with risperidone withdrawal symptoms or more severe ones.

Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome symptoms may include:

• Dysphoria
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Sensory disruptions
• Dizziness and/or trouble with balance
• Fatigue
• Anxiety and/or hyperarousal
• Trouble sleeping
• Headache
• Flu-like symptoms

When people who are prescribed antipsychotics for psychotic disorders stop taking them, some relapse, meaning that their psychosis returns. However, some patients are able to sustain a psychosis-free existence after the cessation of antipsychotics. Several studies show that only 25%–55% of patients with schizophrenia who stopped taking antipsychotic medication experienced a relapse of symptoms in the first 6 to 10 months after they stopped taking them.

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All this implies that if you are considering quitting risperidone, you should consult professionals on how to do it. The majority of risperidone withdrawal symptoms are only unpleasant. Still, since there is a risk of mental health issues relapse, some might need help managing risperidone withdrawal with professional risperidone withdrawal support. The typical first step in risperidone withdrawal management is a detox.

Risperidone Detox

You should never stop or change how you take your medication on your own. The short-term risks of stopping this medication include risperidone withdrawal and the return of symptoms that were being treated. Long-term risks can also include the return of symptoms.

Talk to your medical provider prior to any medication changes or cessation of use. If your doctor agrees and you stop using risperidone, you will probably experience symptoms that require a risperidone withdrawal treatment. The first step during this treatment is detox to cleanse your body from risperidone. 

Detox at We Level Up California implies medical assistance, 24/7 care and monitoring, and additional treatments to help you feel better long-term. Our medical professionals can monitor your symptoms and provide guidance on safely titrating your dose. Research indicates that gradually lowering the dose of antipsychotics can decrease the severity of antipsychotic discontinuation syndrome symptoms. When stopping or switching antipsychotics, our medical staff may prescribe additional medication to help prevent or lessen the symptoms of risperidone withdrawal. 

Keep in mind that there is no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to safely and effectively stopping or switching antipsychotics. However, you can be at peace while in the We Level Up California detox. All our treatment programs are specifically tailored for each client. Our facility offers safety and privacy, and our professional and caring staff can provide continuous support and guidance. 

Treatment Options for Risperidone Withdrawal

If you struggle with misusing antipsychotics, you may need mental health and addiction treatment to address both medication abuse and your mental health condition simultaneously. In addition to detox, which would be managing risperidone withdrawal symptoms, you might be suggested additional treatments to address psychological aspects of substance abuse.

Treatment may be offered in an inpatient and/or outpatient setting. Keeping in mind that ceasing to use risperidone can result in a relapse of severe mental health condition symptoms, inpatient rehab could be more beneficial for you. In an inpatient setting, you get round-the-clock support, privacy, and sufficient isolation to focus solely on yourself and your recovery.

Additionally, suffering from a mental illness and also struggling with misusing antipsychotic medication (known as co-occurring disorders) should make you consider a treatment setting that specializes in integrated care for co-occurring disorders. For individuals with co-occurring disorders, an integrated treatment that addresses all psychiatric disorders provides better results. That means that you may need anxiety treatment along with bipolar disorder treatment, for instance.

Severe depression, anxiety disorders, different types of bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia can have severe symptoms. Those symptoms, combined with risperidone withdrawal symptoms, can be especially challenging. Staff in facilities offering integrated treatment should have specialized training in treating mental health and substance use disorders and the symptoms that accompany both. Only specialized treatments can address severe cases of risperidone withdrawal and co-occurring relapse symptoms.

Reclaim Your Life from Risperidone Withdrawal

Risperidone addiction is a condition that can cause major health, social, and economic problems and should not be taken lightly. Drug addiction treatment at We Level Up California can provide you, or someone you love, with risperidone withdrawal treatment, including safe detox and accompanying programs that support long-term recovery. 

Call us to speak with one of our counselors. Our specialists know what you are going through. We can provide relevant information about this and related conditions and help you make educated decisions about your health and future. Please know that each call is private and confidential.

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