Can risperidone (aka Risperdal) impair or hinder high level brain function?

Question

I'm asking this because I'm pursuing an advanced physics degree, which requires a lot of abstract thought. I started taking risperidone this summer, and haven't gotten back to school yet. I'm curious if there's a chance that it could cripple my performance.

Answer 1

Risperdal can improve working memory, which can be deficient in schizophrenics.
Have you heard of John Nash, a schizophrenic and Nobel Laureate.

I'm not suggesting you're schizophrenic, but well I am.

I take rispersdal. At a dosage of 4mg/day or 50mg/fortnight I was not as lively and enthusiastic in my thinking, but now at a lower dose of 3 or 37.5 I feel fine. Yup!

BTW I found that olanzapine inhibited mental imagery, but not risperdal. Probably to do with certain dopamine receptors being blocked by one and not the other.

Answer 2

Morality is mostly a basic instinct to not do things to others that we wouldn't want done to ourselves. We can empathize with our potential victims. There does seem to be a point at which mental health degrades beyond the ability to feel and understand this empathy. That would be what I'd consider "innocent by reason of insanity". However, people with less impared brain function might have a harder time making moral decisions, but can nonetheless and choose not to. These are criminals. I think some counseling would help most criminals, yes, but it isn't necessary for them to make better decisions. It would just help a lot. Being able to function as a normal human does depend on proper brain function, however, there is a spectrum of mental capacity, not an on / off switch.

Answer 3

Antipsychotics will prevent damage to your cognitive functioning. If you have an illness with a psychotic component, your cognitive function and parts of your brain can be damaged by leaving your illness unchecked and untreated.

Each episode can make your illness worse and causes deterioration in brain function so it is important to continue to take your medication. It will prevent your cognitive abilities from deterioration by stopping psychotic episodes. It will not cripple your performance. You may experience some side effects though, and if you have any concerns, speak to your doctor as it is important that you understand and are comfortable about the decision regarding your medication.

Chances are that medication to treat your condition will only help, not hinder you. Remember, your practitioner needs to weigh up the benefits of the medication and keeping you well with the side effects. The most important thing is that you stay well. While uni may be an important aspect of your future, it can be deferred or completed part time. I finished my degree while I was really sick and nearly had to have some life changing surgery as a result. I now wish I had taken my time as I probably would have achieved better (not to mention having to spend way less time in the company of doctors once I finished).

Best of luck studying for those exams! :)

Answer 4

RISPERIDONE - is an antipsychotic medication that works by interfering with the communication among nerves in the brain. The nerves communicate with one another by producing and releasing chemicals called neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters attach to receptors on other nearby nerves, and the attachment of the neurotransmitter causes changes in the cells that have the receptor on them.

Risperidone is used for the treatment of psychotic disorders, for example, schizophrenia. It also is used in combination with lithium or valproate for the treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder.

Risperidone may interfere with elimination by the kidneys of clozapine (Clozaril), a different type of antipsychotic medication, causing increased levels of clozapine in the blood. This could increase the risk of side effects with clozapine.

The most commonly noted side effects associated with risperidone are extrapyramidal effects (sudden, often jerky, involuntary motions of the head, neck, arms, body, or eyes), dizziness, hyperactivity, tiredness, and nausea. Risperidone may cause a condition called orthostatic hypotension during the early phase of treatment (the first week or two). Patients who develop orthostatic hypotension have a drop in their blood pressure when they rise from a lying position and may become dizzy.

I AM SURE THAT YOU ARE UNDER THE CARE OF A QUALIFIED MEDICAL PRACTIONER AND YOU SHOUD TAKE THIS MEDICATION UNDER STRICT MEDICAL SUPERVISION ONLY. THIS IS VRY IMPORTANT-