My 8-year-old son has TS, ADHD, OCD, ODD, and some Asperger's-like symptoms. He has a genus-level IQ, but can no longer attend school because of extreme irritability, rage/violent outbursts.
Risperdal was just added to his medications to control rage, anger, irritability/mood disturbance. He is also taking Depakote (which has not worked well to control those symptoms), and 200 mg. Luvox for OCD.
1. How do you go off of Depakote? Does it have to be tapered?
2. What are the interactions of Depakote & Risperdal together?
3. 24 hours after starting Risperdal, he had EP side effects--trouble talking, mouth felt weird, trouble swallowing. Doctor put him on Benadryl 1st, and now Cogentin 0.5 mg BID to counteract. Does this side effect go away? Would he have to stay on Cogentin if he continues taking Risperdal? Does the EP side effect forewarn the risk of Tardive Diskenesia?
4. Risperdal is extremely tranquilizing. Does this side effect diminish?
5. I am very worried that so many mind-altering drugs will do irreversible damage to my son's brain.
Thank you for any advice.