Risperdal?

Avatar for rlena
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2003
Risperdal?
10
Wed, 04-30-2008 - 9:50pm

My son has sever anxiety issues so we finally decided to get some Dr advice. He has always woke up frequently during the night but lately he has been having nightmares that make him so anxious that he gets sick. Plus he has also been anxious at school.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
In reply to: rlena
Thu, 05-01-2008 - 9:31am
Casey,
I personally don't have any experience with this drug, although I do know of some moms who have used it for their kids, both on and off this board. Hopefully someone will chime in with some advice for you.

-Paula


visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2003
In reply to: rlena
Thu, 05-01-2008 - 9:55am

Our problems have largely been with Anxiety as well.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-28-2007
In reply to: rlena
Thu, 05-01-2008 - 10:32am

Risperdal is an antipsychotic and is NOT an anti-anxiety drug. Liam was on it for 18 months for rages and defiance. It did work for a while for these symptoms but it eventually funked out and Liam put on a great deal of weight.

Now he's on seroquel, also an anti-psychotic but it doesn't seem to be messing with his weight and is affective at a low dose.

I am at the very least confused as to why the pdoc prescribed risperdal for anxiety and night terrors. Possibly as risperdal has a sedating effect. However, I would be looking at other meds rather than something as potent as risperdal. And I know how expensive it is as I had to pay out of pocket the first time and it was almost $300 for one month's supply.

Have you looked into clonidine? It's a blood pressure medication that has proven supportive for sleep issues. adhd and tics and some anxiety. I even know of a toddler up the street (ASD) who takes it for her sleep concerns-although I always wonder about the use of psychotropic medication for those under 3.

I would steer away from Haldol and thorazine (the brand names of the generics you mentioned). Both are typical anti-psychotics and are hard core; prepare your son to be very groggy, unable to get up in the morning etc. Risperdal is an A-typical antipsychotic and dosn't have a lot of the side effects that the typical ones do. But again I am thinking you need something more appropriate for your ds's needs, and if he's not raging, or aggressive I would look into other options. Sorry I know I'm not much help with offering other options; as each child reacts to diffferent meds differently. Liam has been on two mood stabilizers and 4 anti-psychotics and two stimulants before we found teh combo of the two we have now. Do also understand Liam is co-morbid bipolar and adhd so he is very different from your son.

hth,

Dee

I suspect your doctor doctor is staying away from classic anti-anxiety meds due to the black box warning for children and young adults.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2003
In reply to: rlena
Thu, 05-01-2008 - 1:00pm

"Have you looked into clonidine? It's a blood pressure medication that has proven supportive for sleep issues. adhd and tics and some anxiety. I even know of a toddler up the street (ASD) who takes it for her sleep concerns-although I always wonder about the use of psychotropic medication for those under 3."


Dee, thank you so much for the Risperdal review.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-11-2007
In reply to: rlena
Thu, 05-01-2008 - 1:59pm
Hello there.. My son (8 years old
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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-23-2004
In reply to: rlena
Thu, 05-01-2008 - 3:57pm
My son was put on Abilify.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
In reply to: rlena
Sun, 05-04-2008 - 12:51am

I have two kids who have/had experience with this drug.


My oldest (12)took risperadol and it was like magic the first 4-6 months and then it flittered out like it did for Dee.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2006
In reply to: rlena
Sun, 05-04-2008 - 2:31pm

Casey


- Christina mom to-

Chloe (10)    Aiden(8)   

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-28-2007
In reply to: rlena
Sun, 05-04-2008 - 8:48pm

Christina-

OT here, omg Seweden has gotten soooo big....she's beautiful.

Dee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-11-2007
In reply to: rlena
Mon, 05-05-2008 - 8:03am

Lainie,


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