Findings of recent research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry revealed that an increase in the use of the antipsychotic risperidone (Risperdal) was linked to minor dose-related increases in weight and blood cholesterol levels.The longitudinal research included tracking metabolic parameters for 438 patients using risperidone and/or its metabolite (paliperidone) for up to one year between 2007 and 2018.

After a year of follow-up, increments of 1 mg of risperidone-equivalent dosages were linked with a rise of 0.25 % in weight,  0.05 mmol/L in total cholesterol (P =.018), and a 0.04 mmol/L in LDL cholesterol (P =.011). Patients who gained 5% or more of their body weight in the first month continued to gain weight faster than those who did not. At three months, the weight gain was 6.68 %, while at six months it was 7.36 %, and 7.7 % at twelve months.

Hence researchers believe that, despite their tiny amplitude, these findings demonstrate an influence of a daily risperidone dose on weight growth and blood cholesterol levels. The decision to increase the medicine dose should be approached with caution, and minimum effective dosages should be recommended. (Medscape Medical News, June 02, 2022)