INSOMNIA with risperidone

[docrrao]

My question is that whether it is normal to encounter Insomnia and sleep disturbances while tapering Risperidone and if yes how many share my problem?.

[adel_ezz]

indeed it can, so i would say it's completely normal to encounter insomnia by tapering off from risperidone and this should automatically applies to seroquel, and the rest of the antipsychotics. Only abilify that i know of, that by taking it can bring insomnia and anxety

[docrrao]

Hi Adel thanks for responding to my query.My Pdoc started rispeidone for a questionable hypomanic episode and I encountered significant insomnia and a feeling of anxiety and edginess after starting this medicine and then requested my Pdoc to start tapering it.I feel better now after my dose has come down to 0.5mg at night from 3mg initially for 2 months though the sleep disturbances remain but anxiety and agitation has decreased significantly.I can confidently state from experience that Risperidone use is associated with significant insomnia and anxiety(my personal opinion).This is one med I wont ever take again.

[docrrao]

Hi adel just wanted you to know that I feel much better On 0.5mg of risperidone and cant wait to stop this medicine in about 3 days.

[corlenbelspar]

It's like adel_ezz said, a lot of antipsychotics can cause this and a lot of them are activating so psychiatrists advise you to take them after you wake up.  I think I had this happen with Geodon where at first it sedated me like crazy and made it hard to move sometimes but then the last few weeks I was on it I was suffering from insomnia where I couldn't fall asleep and it also made me tired where I couldn't function at all from missing the sleep and this caused problems at work.  I was taken off Geodon for other reasons though and not the insomnia.

[docrrao]

Thanks for responding dear friend.It was my first experience with an antipsychotic and it terrified me.My Pdoc started me on this risperdal for a questionable hypomanic episode and it almost ruined my life.Thankfully I reduced it myself to 0.5mg from 3mg in two months and will be off it in 3 days.I feel my energy levels are better and I feel better now.Stay off Risperidone,it is awful.

[docrrao]

My Pdoc had suggested an extremely slow tapering of risperidone over 10-12 weeks but I tapered it over 6 weeks and only had minimal withdrawl symptoms.I am yet to go and see him.I am stable on tegretol 1000 mg with no side effects.Hope it stays good.

[adel_ezz]

if you don't have side effects from tegretol, good. tegretol is one out of the three classical antimanic and MS the other 2 are lithium and depakote. it's still used especially in the commonwealth countries though less in the states due to its high interactivity with other drugs.

one thing, did your pdoc ask for blood test every 6 months, check with him