Skip to content
ClinCalc Pro
Menu
Calculators Drugs Pathways AI Dx Donate Get the App
Atypical Antipsychotic — Autism Spectrum Disorder / Schizophrenia / Tic Disorders

Risperidone (Paediatric)

Brand names: Risperdal, Risperidone Orodispersible

Risperidone is a second-generation antipsychotic used in children most often for short-term treatment of persistent aggression in conduct disorder and irritability associated with autism, and in some adolescent psychotic and bipolar presentations.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It antagonises dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, modulating dopaminergic and serotonergic transmission implicated in psychosis, mood and behaviour.

Prescribing in practice

  • Metabolic effects (weight gain, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia) and marked hyperprolactinaemia are prominent in children and can affect growth and puberty, so weight, growth and metabolic parameters must be tracked and treatment kept to the shortest effective course.
  • Extrapyramidal symptoms, sedation and rarely neuroleptic malignant syndrome can occur, and QT prolongation risk warrants caution with other QT-prolonging drugs.
  • Doses are low and titrated by weight and age; confirm against a children's formulary.

Monitoring

Baseline and periodic monitoring of weight and height, BMI, blood glucose, lipids and prolactin is required, alongside review for extrapyramidal and movement effects.

Counselling the patient

  • Report rapid weight gain, breast changes or milk production, or abnormal movements.
  • Be aware it can cause drowsiness, especially when starting.
  • Do not stop abruptly; treatment should be reviewed regularly for continued need.

Evidence & guidelines

Risperidone is recommended in NICE guidance for short-term management of severe persistent aggression in conduct disorder and is used for autism-associated irritability with close metabolic monitoring.

Reference: NICE NG11 (ASD); RUPP Trial NEJM 2002; MHRA Antipsychotic Metabolic Monitoring Guidelines; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators
Pathways