Abstract
Objective: We aimed to describe medication side effects in a cross-section of young people taking low-dose risperidone, using a self-report measure.
Methods: The Liverpool University Neuroleptic Side Effect Rating Scale (LUNSERS) was completed by 66 patients aged between 6 and 18 years who had been taking low-dose risperidone (alone or in conjunction with other medications) for up to 13 years.
Results: Young persons, overall, seemed to tolerate risperidone well, but longer exposure to the medication was associated with higher side effect levels, particularly for the psychic (pertaining to mind and emotion) and extrapyramidal subscales. The most common complaints related to psychic side effects, such as tiredness, difficulty concentrating, difficulty remembering things and increased dreaming.
Conclusions: Clinicians need to monitor the side effects of young patients taking low doses of risperidone, and other psychotropics, and maintain vigilance in those who have been taking medication for extended periods.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are grateful to the study participants for completing the questionnaires. We also thank Professor Joseph Rey, Dr Elisabeth Murphy and Dr Claire Berman for their assistance. The study was funded by a Northern Sydney Area Collaborative Research Grant.
DISCLOSURES
Garry Walter has received educational grants from Eli Lilly, Janssen-Cilag and Pfizer, and travel assistance and an honorarium for a talk from Eli Lilly. Glenn Hunt has received educational grants from Eli Lilly and Pfizer. Michelle Cleary has received educational grants from Eli Lilly, Janssen-Cilag and Pfizer. Paul Duffy has received educational grants from Eli Lilly, Janssen-Cilag and Novartis in the form of travel sponsorship to conferences. Geoff Crawford has received travel grants from Janssen-Cilag and Eli Lilly, and honoraria for talks by Janssen-Cilag and Eli Lilly. Gin Malhi has served on pharmaceutical advisory boards, received funding for research and been in receipt of honoraria for talks at sponsored meetings involving AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Jansen-Cilag, Organon, Pfizer and Wyeth. The other authors have nothing to disclose.