Risperdal & Alzheimer's disease
odllovesjdl posted:
My mom's Dr. has prescribed Risperdal for my mom who has alzheimer's. From what I have read this med. is not supposed to be given to dementia patients. Now my mom really has nerves bad and is having problems sleeping. She was taking .05mg and was still having problems so he upped it to 1.0 mg. to me that doesn't sound like much...is it? Could someone shed some light on this please.
Diane
In Texas
7 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Risperdal & Alzheimer's diseaseMy mom's Dr. has prescribed Risperdal for my mom who has alzheimer's. From what I have read this med. is not supposed to be given to dementia patients. Now my mom really has nerves bad and is having problems sleeping. She was taking .05mg and was still having problems so he upped it to 1.0 mg. to me that doesn't sound like much...is it? Could someone shed some light on this please.
Diane
In Texas
sherri0527 responded:
Diane my dad has been prescribed this med....I don't like what I read about it....I don't know if you had a chance to read the other post I wrote recently....but this whole thing with meds and our parents concerns me....I am needing to talk to my dad's doctor....or getsome peace of mind somewhere....just like this med (risperdal)...they keep INCREASING it ...and my dad has had heart surgery in the past...when they increased it last time he began to have nightmares....have you read the logs on web md from patients who have taken this med themselves? I find it hard sometimes to understand what we can do for the best care all the way around ....this is so draining....my dad has changed so much in the last few weeks.....so rapidly.... 
Report This| Share this:Risperdal & Alzheimer's diseaseDiane my dad has been prescribed this med....I don't like what I read about it....I don't know if you had a chance to read the other post I wrote recently....but this whole thing with meds and our parents concerns me....I am needing to talk to my dad's doctor....or getsome peace of mind somewhere....just like this med (risperdal)...they keep INCREASING it ...and my dad has had heart surgery in the past...when they increased it last time he began to have nightmares....have you read the logs on web md from patients who have taken this med themselves? I find it hard sometimes to understand what we can do for the best care all the way around ....this is so draining....my dad has changed so much in the last few weeks.....so rapidly.... <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/frown.gif" align="top" border="0">
Morbid123 responded:
To be completely honest, I'd seriously look for a second opinion. There has been several studies connecting Risperdal and increased mortality in geriatric patients with dementia (Medscape, 2008). Now depending on what other medications your mom has tried in the past, the benefits may outweigh the risks. That is something you need to discuss with your GP/family doctor.
I'm thinking the reason it was prescribed was because it often allows individuals to think a bit clearer and hopefully function better. Furthermore, it helps to control irritation and aggressive behavior. If behavior has became an issue recently, then that is likely why it was prescribed. I suggest you consult a psychologist to explore behavioral modification therapies if you and your mom are concerned about the medication and would like to try alternative methods.
It is also important to note that many have claimed the dosage should not surpass 2mg per day.
Hope this helps
Sincerely, Sean
I'm thinking the reason it was prescribed was because it often allows individuals to think a bit clearer and hopefully function better. Furthermore, it helps to control irritation and aggressive behavior. If behavior has became an issue recently, then that is likely why it was prescribed. I suggest you consult a psychologist to explore behavioral modification therapies if you and your mom are concerned about the medication and would like to try alternative methods.
It is also important to note that many have claimed the dosage should not surpass 2mg per day.
Hope this helps
Sincerely, Sean
Report This| Share this:Risperdal & Alzheimer's diseaseTo be completely honest, I'd seriously look for a second opinion. There has been several studies connecting Risperdal and increased mortality in geriatric patients with dementia (Medscape, 2008). Now depending on what other medications your mom has tried in the past, the benefits may outweigh the risks. That is something you need to discuss with your GP/family doctor. <br><br>I'm thinking the reason it was prescribed was because it often allows individuals to think a bit clearer and hopefully function better. Furthermore, it helps to control irritation and aggressive behavior. If behavior has became an issue recently, then that is likely why it was prescribed. I suggest you consult a psychologist to explore behavioral modification therapies if you and your mom are concerned about the medication and would like to try alternative methods. <br><br>It is also important to note that many have claimed the dosage should not surpass 2mg per day. <br><br>Hope this helps <br><br>Sincerely,
Sean
flynnsmith responded:
I am holding a newspaper article in my hand dated June 17, 2008, from The Star, out of Ventura CA., written by Matthew Perrone. It is titles "Psychiatric drugs tied to deaths of Seniors". It goes on to state the FDA is warning that risperdal, navane , zyprexa and moban as well as eleven other antipsychotic drugs are causing heart attacks and pnuemonia in a study based on 65,000 seniors. These are old drugs from the 1950's. It states there are newer drugs now on the market that are safer. Also is your mother having psychotic episodes or more anxiety. Risperdal is for psychotic epidoses for example schizo and bipolar. There are other medication for anxiety and sleeplessness. Also be very weary of effexor xr. This was given to my husband for anxiety, I quickly stiopped after nine days. It affected his memory significantly, considering his alzheimers is already considered in ther moderate catagory, why the newrologist would prescribe something that could make his memory worse is beyond me. We need to be advocates and not accept everything these doctors state. I would not allow my husband to be on risperdal after reading this article.
Report This| Share this:Risperdal & Alzheimer's diseaseI am holding a newspaper article in my hand dated June 17, 2008, from The Star, out of Ventura CA., written by Matthew Perrone. It is titles "Psychiatric drugs tied to deaths of Seniors". It goes on to state the FDA is warning that risperdal, navane , zyprexa and moban as well as eleven other antipsychotic drugs are causing heart attacks and pnuemonia in a study based on 65,000 seniors. These are old drugs from the 1950's. It states there are newer drugs now on the market that are safer. Also is your mother having psychotic episodes or more anxiety. Risperdal is for psychotic epidoses for example schizo and bipolar. There are other medication for anxiety and sleeplessness. Also be very weary of effexor xr. This was given to my husband for anxiety, I quickly stiopped after nine days. It affected his memory significantly, considering his alzheimers is already considered in ther moderate catagory, why the newrologist would prescribe something that could make his memory worse is beyond me. We need to be advocates and not accept everything these doctors state. I would not allow my husband to be on risperdal after reading this article.
flynnsmith responded:
I just read the response I just posted to you and realized there were spelling errors. Please excuse my not spell checking. I just wanted to respond as fast as possible.
Report This| Share this:Risperdal & Alzheimer's diseaseI just read the response I just posted to you and realized there were spelling errors. Please excuse my not spell checking. I just wanted to respond as fast as possible.
WishUWell responded:
You are right to question any medication that is being used off label. I suggest that you be in touch with the Alzheimer's Association to find out what other options are available. I, too, have witnessed the use of Risperdal and it alters the already altered mind.
Report This| Share this:Risperdal & Alzheimer's diseaseYou are right to question any medication that is being used off label. I suggest that you be in touch with the Alzheimer's Association to find out what other options are available. I, too, have witnessed the use of Risperdal and it alters the already altered mind.
sosadinlasvegas responded:
Diane, My mother died August 31, 2005 from Alzheimers. I have to tell you however, that she was talking and walking before the doctor prescribed Risprdal. Shortly after she began that medication her arms and legs stiffened, she closed her eyes and she never spoke again. My mom lived less than one year after that. I feel for you- take your mother off of it and keep her on something FDA approved for Alzheimers or you will have regrets the rest of your life. Read the black box warning on the info sheet that accompanies the prescription and you will read "Risperdal accelerates death in elderly people".
Report This| Share this:Risperdal & Alzheimer's diseaseDiane, My mother died August 31, 2005 from Alzheimers. I have to tell you however, that she was talking and walking before the doctor prescribed Risprdal. Shortly after she began that medication her arms and legs stiffened, she closed her eyes and she never spoke again. My mom lived less than one year after that. I feel for you- take your mother off of it and keep her on something FDA approved for Alzheimers or you will have regrets the rest of your life. Read the black box warning on the info sheet that accompanies the prescription and you will read "Risperdal accelerates death in elderly people".
Byroney_WebMD_Staff replied to sosadinlasvegas's response:
Dear Sosadinlasvegas,
I am sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Thank you for having the kindness and courage to share your experience here. I wanted to note that although this thread was started two years ago, people may still respond to it, but don't be discouraged it they do not. Many more people read posts than respond to them.
In support,
Byroney
I am sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Thank you for having the kindness and courage to share your experience here. I wanted to note that although this thread was started two years ago, people may still respond to it, but don't be discouraged it they do not. Many more people read posts than respond to them.
In support,
Byroney
Report This| Share this:Risperdal & Alzheimer's diseaseDear Sosadinlasvegas,<br /> <br />I am sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Thank you for having the kindness and courage to share your experience here. I wanted to note that although this thread was started two years ago, people may still respond to it, but don't be discouraged it they do not. Many more people read posts than respond to them.<br /> <br />In support,<br /> <br />Byroney
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