Here's a little info I pulled up on the net for ya:


Precautions:
Hepatic or renal disease, parkinsonian patients. Cardiovascular disease (orthostatic hypotension and tachycardia, especially during the initial dose titration period and the first few weeks of treatment). Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, tardive dyskinesia. CBA including stroke and TIA (elderly patients). Priapism. Hyperglycemia. Hyperprolactinemia. Antiemetic effect. History of seizures. Pregnancy. Lactation (breast-feeding is not recommended). Suicide. Disruption of body temperature regulation. Safety/efficacy in children < 18 years not established.

Side effects:
Insomnia, agitation, extrapyramidal disorder, anxiety, headache, rhinitis, weight gain (mean 2-3 kg) during long-term therapy. Rarely, hypotension, syncope, cardiac arrhythmias, first degree AV-block, seizure, gynecomastia, galactorrhea, amenorrhea, menorrhagia, ejaculatory and erectile dysfunction.

Interactions:
May enhance the effects of alcohol, centrally-acting drugs, hypotensive agents; may antagonize the effects of levodopa and dopamine agonists. Hepatic enzyme-inducing drugs (monitor). Concomitant administration of fluoxetine may increase the plasma concentrations of risperidone by 2- to 3-fold, while the concentration of the major active metabolite is increased by about 50%.

I tried Risperdal when I was just beside myself my first time in the hospital. I don't even know what was racing through my mind, but my heart was going a mile a minute and I couldn't chill out. Even though the Risperdal slowed my thoughts, my heart kept racing. It was very uncomfortable. This could be ED related, though.

I only had really bad experiences on Respiridal.It drove me insane!Literally.The side affects of it are pretty harsh.Ya, it only affects a small percentage...but I guess I was one of those lucky ones.I was in the hospital a long time before they wud release me.cuz they were trying like every different med known to man.My final cocktail that Ive been perfect on for two years now is Zoloft 100ml during the day and night 100ml of seroquel,to comotose me so i dont eat myself alive with my bad memories.so i dunno, it might work for you.but just from personal experience,i wouldnt recommend it hun.but i do believe its important to stay on ur meds no matter what.that is the key to achieving a normal day to day life.best wishes.im here if you need anything.

redtears

As you probably already know, meds affect people in differing ways, and side effects, while they may be overwhelming to one person, may be mild to another. Keep in touch with your doctor; keep him/her informed of what's going on with you regarding the medication.

Peace!

Wow..
you know.. you have to give it a go.. stick with it a while and see how your own body and psyche reacts.
I am so glad that you sought out medical help. How brave and intelligent.
Glad you are here to share with us, please keep us updated on how you are doing and how the meds are working.

This spring when my husbands alzhiemers started causing some hallucinations and psycyotic behvior his psychiatrist put him on risperdal and we noticed good results almost immediately.
If you experience ANY problems with breathing or heart rate get to an ER a.s.a.p.
A wise consumer checks the side effects of all rx drugs and the net makes this a snap, if your real sharp you will create a file, both online and hard copy, of the drugs you are taking and their potential side effects and which other meds they may interact with on either a positive or negative basis.
Your regular physcian should ahve this info in their computer bank but it's nice to have if/when your traveling or in an emergency situation when you might be dealing with EMT's or other emergency personal.
They make little vials that can store this info and be stuck to the frig, carried in your pocket/purse, or glove compartment in the car.