Risperidone and Autism

Risperidone is a type of drug called an atypical antipsychotic. It is sold under a variety of brand names including Belivon, Rispen and Risperdal.

Risperidone is used to treat some of the symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other mental health problems.

Risperidone is believed to work by changing the amount and action of several neurotransmitters in the brain, in particular serotonin and dopamine.

Risperidone is sometimes used to treat problem behaviours in autistic people, including aggression, self-injurious behaviours and sudden mood changes.

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Related Glossaries

• Risperidone

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Related Publications

• Arnold L. E. et al. (2012) Research Units of Pediatric Psychopharmacology (RUPP) Autism Network randomized clinical trial of parent training and medication: One-year follow-up. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 51(11), Read Abstract (New Window) Read Full (New Window)
  
  
• Jesner O. S., Aref-Adib M., Coren E. (2007) Risperidone for autism spectrum disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. (1), Read Abstract (New Window) Read Full (New Window)
  
  
• McDougle C. J. et al. (1998) A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of risperidone in adults with autistic disorder and other pervasive developmental disorders. Archives of General Psychiatry. 55(7), Read Abstract (New Window) Read Full (New Window)
  
  
• McDougle C. J. et al. (1997) Risperidone treatment of children and adolescents with pervasive developmental disorders: A prospective, open-label study. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 36 Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Nagaraj R., Singhi P., Malhi P. (2006) Risperidone in children with autism: randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Journal of Child Neurology. 21(6), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Scott L., Dhillon S. (2007) Risperidone: a review of its use in the treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder in children and adolescents. Pediatric Drugs. 9(5), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Sharma A., Shaw S. R. (2012) Efficacy of risperidone in managing maladaptive behaviors for children with autistic spectrum disorder: a meta-analysis. Journal of Pediatric Health Care. 264(4), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Shea S. et al. (2004) Risperidone in the treatment of disruptive behavioral symptoms in children with autistic and other pervasive developmental disorders. Pediatrics. 114(5), Read Abstract (New Window) Read Full (New Window)
  
  
• Tyrer P. et al. (2008) Risperidone, haloperidol, and placebo in the treatment of aggressive challenging behaviour in patients with intellectual disability: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 371(9606), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  

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Quick link:

https://informationautism.org/risperidone

Updated

18 Jun 2018