Novel uses for risperidone: focus on depressive, anxiety and behavioral disorders

Abstract

Risperidone has been shown to be a safe and effective atypical antipsychotic agent. It was initially approved for the treatment of schizophrenia, and now, in many countries, is used to treat other conditions, including bipolar disorder, dementia and behavior problems in a range of age groups. Yet, frequent off-label use by clinicians to treat other mood and anxiety disorders and behavioral disorders is common and requires an examination of the risks and benefits in such populations. A review of the literature provides varying levels of evidence supporting its use in a range of depressive and anxiety disorders, and in special populations, including children and the elderly. Most reports are based on short-term studies and include its use both as monotherapy and as an augmenting agent to other psychotropics, and in a range of doses. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and tolerability of risperidone, both short- and long-term, in many of these conditions. The published evidence is summarized, with recommendations and suggestions for its use.

Keywords::

• anxiety disorders
• atypical antipsychotic
• behavioral disorders
• dopamine
• mood disorders
• risperidone
• serotonin

Disclosure

AV Ravindran has received grant funding support from Janssen-Ortho, Inc. and has also served as a consultant for, and has participated in, continuing medical education programmes funded by Janssen-Ortho, Inc. This paper was commissioned independently and AV Ravindran has not received any fee for the preparation of this manuscript.