Risperidone weight increase

In a retrospective study of male delinquents, mean age 16 years, with childhood onset and persistent conduct disorder treated either with psychosocial treatment and risperidone (mean dose 2.5 mg/day n = 60) or cognitive-behavioral treatment alone n = 69), the most common adverse events in the patients taking risperidone were somnolence (26%), weight gain (18%), increased appetite (17%), and constipation (14%) mean body weight increased by 6.8 kg during a mean time of 9 months [119. ... 

A 6-week randomised, single-blind study compared risperidone plus divalproate and haloperidol plus divalproate in the treatment of mania [16 ]. There were significantly more extrapyramidal side effects and dyskinesia as well as more antiparkinsonian medication use with haloperidol. Mean weight increase and proportion of patients with clinically relevant weight gain (>7%) were greater with risperidone. 

Risperidone can be administered once or twice daily in doses ranging from 2 to 6mg/day. Risperidone is well tolerated with comparatively few mild side effects. It can cause drowsiness, weight gain, dizziness, nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, and sexual dysfunction. Finally, risperidone does not increase the risk for agranulocytosis or seizures. 

Risperidone (1) has high affinity for D2, 5-HT2c and tti receptors and a very high affinity for the 5-HT2a receptor. Risperidone is the most likely of the atypical antipsychotics to cause prolactin increases, but has a lower weight gain liability than olanzapine or quetiapine. Risperidone has a relatively narrow therapeutic window since doses above 6 mg/day cause EPS in a dose-dependent manner. 

In 55 subjects randomized to olanzapinelO mg/day, risperidone 4 mg/day, or placebo for 2 weeks, there were significant increases in weight with olanzapine (2.25 kg) and risperidone (1.05 kg) (891). 

There was weight gain of 17% (mean 5.6 kg) after risperidone treatment for 6 months in 63 autistic children and adolescents (mean age 8.6 years), taken from an initial sample of 101 outpatients this gain exceeded the developmentally expected norms and decelerated over time (1046). Body mass index increased by 10.6% (mean... 

Clozaril (Clozapine), for example, can cause agranulocytosis (a potentially lethal suppression of white blood cells by the bone marrow). Parkinsonian symptoms and weight gain occur with risperidone (Risperdal) and olanzapine (Zyprexa). In addition, quetiapine (Seroquel) has been associated with an increased incidence of cataracts. 

---