Prescription medication · Atypical Antipsychotic
risperidone
Also sold as Risperdal. Risperidone is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and teens.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 129,958
- FDA reportsOften reported
- 20
- InteractionsSeveral interactions
- 65% less
- Generic vs brandBig savings
- $4.42
- Brand price (NADAC)
What the data shows
risperidone (Risperdal) is a prescription Atypical Antipsychotic, more reported than most tracked drugs (129,958 FDA reports), whose generic runs roughly half the brand price or less (65% less).
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
risperidone (Risperdal) is a prescription Atypical Antipsychotic. Risperidone is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and teens.
Risperidone is a medicine used to treat certain mental disorders. It can help reduce symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and aggression.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$4.42/unit
Generic Price
$1.56/unit
Generic Savings
65%
Generic Available
Yes (21 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Risperidone is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and teens.
Common side effects
Parkinsonism (slowed movement, stiffness), Restlessness, Muscle stiffness or spasms
Key warnings
Risperidone may increase the risk of death in elderly patients who have dementia-related psychosis.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from risperidone's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Risperidone works by changing the levels of certain natural substances in the brain. These substances are called neurotransmitters. By balancing these chemicals, risperidone can reduce symptoms of mental disorders.
How to Take It
Take risperidone exactly as your doctor tells you. You can take it once or twice a day. Your doctor may start you on a low dose and slowly increase it. You can take risperidone with or without food.
This is a plain-language summary of risperidone's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Babies born to mothers who take risperidone in the last 3 months of pregnancy may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems after birth. There is a pregnancy registry to monitor outcomes in women exposed to risperidone during pregnancy. You can contact the registry at 1-866-961-2388.
This is a plain-language summary of risperidone's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
This is a plain-language summary of risperidone's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store risperidone tablets at room temperature (68°F to 77°F) away from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 129,958 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for risperidone, by number of reports
- Breast enlargement in males
Breast enlargement in males
24,608 reports
- Unusual weight gain 9,446
Unusual weight gain
9,446 reports
- Weight gain 9,089
Weight gain
9,089 reports
- Mental or emotional problem 5,947
Mental or emotional problem
5,947 reports
- Harm or damage to the body 4,624
Harm or damage to the body
4,624 reports
- The medicine is reacting with another medicine 4,468
The medicine is reacting with another medicine
4,468 reports
- High levels of prolactin (a hormone) 4,449
High levels of prolactin (a hormone)
4,449 reports
- Sleepiness 4,298
Sleepiness
4,298 reports
- Nipple discharge 3,762
Nipple discharge
3,762 reports
- Very overweight 3,686
Very overweight
3,686 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for risperidone each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where risperidone sits
risperidone has more FDA adverse-event reports than 89% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is risperidone; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 129,958 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2003–2025.
Total Reports
129,958
Reports Mentioning Death
9,958
7.7% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
39,145
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | GYNAECOMASTIA | 24,608 |
| 3 | ABNORMAL WEIGHT GAIN | 9,446 |
| 4 | WEIGHT INCREASED | 9,088 |
| 6 | EMOTIONAL DISORDER | 5,947 |
| 8 | INJURY | 4,623 |
| 9 | DRUG INTERACTION | 4,468 |
| 10 | HYPERPROLACTINAEMIA | 4,450 |
| 11 | SOMNOLENCE | 4,297 |
| 12 | GALACTORRHOEA | 3,762 |
| 13 | OBESITY | 3,686 |
| 14 | EMOTIONAL DISTRESS | 3,520 |
| 15 | EXTRAPYRAMIDAL DISORDER | 3,423 |
| 16 | ANXIETY | 3,221 |
| 17 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 3,048 |
| 18 | SUICIDE ATTEMPT | 3,014 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Risperidone may increase the risk of death in elderly patients who have dementia-related psychosis. Risperidone is not approved for treating dementia-related psychosis.
Known Drug Interactions
Dose adjustment is not recommended for risperidone tablets when co-administered with ranitidine, cimetidine, amitriptyline, or erythromycin [see Table 18 ] . Do not exceed twice the patient’s usual dose Enzyme (CYP3A) inhibitors Ranitidine 150 mg twice daily 1 mg single dose 1.2 1.4 Dose adjustment not needed Cimetidine 400 mg twice daily 1 mg single dose 1.1 1.3 Dose adjustment not needed Erythromycin 500 mg four times daily 1 mg single dose 1.1 0.94 Dose adjustment not needed Other Drugs Amitriptyline 50 mg twice daily 3 mg twice daily 1.2 1.1 Dose adjustment not Needed *Change relative...
Mechanism: Amitriptyline causes a very small increase in risperidone levels in the body, but the change is not large enough to be significant.
What to do: No dose adjustment is needed when these two medications are taken together.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Carbamazepine and other enzyme inducers decrease plasma concentrations of risperidone. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Pharmacokinetic-related Interactions The dose of risperidone tablets should be adjusted when used in combination with CYP2D6 enzyme inhibitors (e.g., fluoxetine, and paroxetine) and enzyme inducers (e.g., carbamazepine) [see Table 18 and Dosage and Administration (2.5) ]. Do not exceed 8 mg/day 20 mg/day 4 mg/day 1.6 - 40 mg/day 4 mg/day 1.8 - Enzyme (CYP3A/ PgP inducers) Inducers Carbamazepine 573 ± 168 mg/day 3 mg twice daily 0.51 0.55 Titrate dose upwards.
Mechanism: Carbamazepine speeds up how fast your body breaks down risperidone, which lowers the amount of medicine in your blood.
What to do: Your doctor may need to increase your dose of risperidone to make sure the medicine still works effectively.
Do not exceed twice the patient’s usual dose Enzyme (CYP3A) inhibitors Ranitidine 150 mg twice daily 1 mg single dose 1.2 1.4 Dose adjustment not needed Cimetidine 400 mg twice daily 1 mg single dose 1.1 1.3 Dose adjustment not needed Erythromycin 500 mg four times daily 1 mg single dose 1.1 0.94 Dose adjustment not needed Other Drugs Amitriptyline 50 mg twice daily 3 mg twice daily 1.2 1.1 Dose adjustment not Needed *Change relative to reference Effect of Risperidone on other drugs Lithium Repeated oral doses of risperidone tablets (3 mg twice daily) did not affect the exposure (AUC) or...
Mechanism: Taking risperidone does not change the amount of lithium that stays in your bloodstream or how your body handles it.
What to do: No dose changes are necessary for lithium when it is used at the same time as risperidone.
Dose adjustment is not recommended for risperidone tablets when co-administered with ranitidine, cimetidine, amitriptyline, or erythromycin [see Table 18 ] . Do not exceed twice the patient’s usual dose Enzyme (CYP3A) inhibitors Ranitidine 150 mg twice daily 1 mg single dose 1.2 1.4 Dose adjustment not needed Cimetidine 400 mg twice daily 1 mg single dose 1.1 1.3 Dose adjustment not needed Erythromycin 500 mg four times daily 1 mg single dose 1.1 0.94 Dose adjustment not needed Other Drugs Amitriptyline 50 mg twice daily 3 mg twice daily 1.2 1.1 Dose adjustment not Needed *Change relative...
Mechanism: Erythromycin can slightly change how your body processes risperidone, but the effect is too small to matter.
What to do: You do not need to change your dose of risperidone when taking this antibiotic.
Dose adjustment is not recommended for risperidone tablets when co-administered with ranitidine, cimetidine, amitriptyline, or erythromycin [see Table 18 ] . Do not exceed twice the patient’s usual dose Enzyme (CYP3A) inhibitors Ranitidine 150 mg twice daily 1 mg single dose 1.2 1.4 Dose adjustment not needed Cimetidine 400 mg twice daily 1 mg single dose 1.1 1.3 Dose adjustment not needed Erythromycin 500 mg four times daily 1 mg single dose 1.1 0.94 Dose adjustment not needed Other Drugs Amitriptyline 50 mg twice daily 3 mg twice daily 1.2 1.1 Dose adjustment not Needed *Change relative...
Mechanism: Ranitidine causes a small increase in risperidone levels, but it is not enough to change how the drug works or its safety.
What to do: No dose adjustment is necessary when these two medications are used together.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
What should I avoid while taking risperidone?
Can risperidone cause weight gain?
Does risperidone interact with other medications?
How long does it take for risperidone to work?
Can I stop taking risperidone suddenly?
What if I experience side effects?
Can risperidone cause diabetes?
Will risperidone make me sleepy?
Can I drink alcohol while taking risperidone?
What should I do if I have trouble swallowing the tablet?
What are the common side effects of risperidone?
Does risperidone interact with other medications?
What drug class is risperidone?
Is there a generic version of risperidone?
Is risperidone safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Atypical Antipsychotic
Other drugs grouped near risperidone - same-class peers and common alternatives.
acamprosate
Campral
Acamprosate is a medicine that can help you stay away from alcohol if you are alcohol-dependent and have already stopped drinking.
Compare with risperidone →
alprazolam
Xanax
Alprazolam (Xanax) is a medication that can help you with anxiety and panic disorders.
Compare with risperidone →
amitriptyline
Elavil
Amitriptyline is a medicine used to treat depression.
Compare with risperidone →
amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
Adderall, Adderall XR
Adderall XR is a stimulant medicine.
Compare with risperidone →
aripiprazole
Abilify
Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a medicine used to treat certain mental disorders and mood problems.
Compare with risperidone →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Save on risperidone
Compare prices and find discounts at pharmacies near you. Free coupons can save up to 80% on prescriptions.
Disclosure: This link may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. See our terms.
What the FDA Data Shows for risperidone
The FDA label for risperidone (sold under brand names such as Risperdal) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Atypical Antipsychotic class. Risperidone is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and teens. Official labeling lists 25 commonly reported side effects, including Parkinsonism (slowed movement, stiffness), Restlessness, Muscle stiffness or spasms.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 129,958 voluntary reports. The database also lists 20 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $1.56 versus $4.42 for the brand - a 65% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: January 9, 2026
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages