When Does Risperdal Start Working?

Risperdal^® (risperidone) is often prescribed for the treatment of autism, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. It comes in tablet form and is typically taken once or twice a day. Many people may wonder, "When does it start working?"

 

The recommended starting Risperdal dose for treating schizophrenia in adults is 1 mg or 2 mg twice daily. Usually, the dose can be increased slowly in the next few days. If no improvement is seen, your healthcare provider may increase your dose up to 16 mg total per day.

 

The usual starting dosage for bipolar disorder in adults is 2 mg to 3 mg once daily. Risperdal should start working around this time, but if your symptoms do not improve, your healthcare provider may increase your dose up to a maximum of 6 mg once daily.

 

For children weighing less than 44 pounds, the recommended starting dose of Risperdal is 0.25 mg once daily. For children weighting 44 pounds or over, the recommended starting dose is Risperdal 0.5 mg once daily. After a minimum of four days, your healthcare provider may increase the dose as needed to control symptoms of autism.