Drug Comparison
For educational purposes only — a decision-support tool, not a substitute for clinical judgment.
Side-by-side rubric across 96 psychiatric medications. Every rating traces to a verbatim primary-source quote — click any cell to see it.
How to read this tool ▾
Rating scale
– Favorable / lower than class baseline
± Minimal / equivocal
+ Low / uncommon
++ Moderate / common
+++ High / very common
++++ Very high / class-outlier
Frequency vs severity
F = frequency, S = severity. Each gets its own pill colored on the same traffic-light scale: green → blue → yellow → orange → red. Click any cell for incidence percentages and NNH.
Evidence tier
A Network meta-analysis / RCT / FDA label
B Cohort / registry / pooled label data
C Expert review / textbook / case series
Sourcing
Click any cell to see the verbatim source quote and citation. Missing data shows n/a.
Data depth
++ Graded — frequency + severity, primary-source traces
+ FDA label — §6 frequency only (dashed border). Click for sub-types.
Blank — not yet checked (not “absent”)
–±++++++++++ABCF = frequency · S = severity · Dashed border = FDA label only · Click cell for details
1 drug selected — Risperidone(click to collapse)
1/4 selected
Risperidone
Risperdal
Second-Generation Antipsychotic
FDA-approved indications
- Schizophrenia (adults; adolescents 13–17 years)
- Acute manic or mixed episodes in Bipolar I — mono or adjunct with lithium/valproate
- Irritability associated with autistic disorder (5–16 years)
Off-label uses
- PTSD
- OCD augmentation
- Agitation in dementia
MechanismAtypical Antipsychotic
Half-life3 hours (9-OH-risperidone: 21 hours)
Decision GuideWhen to pick each / when to consider an alternative
Risperidone
Consider when
- Pediatric autism irritability (5–16 years) — one of only two SGAs with FDA approval; most extensive pediatric data in autism
- Generic access and broad formulary coverage needed — well-established with extensive long-term outcome data
- LAI for non-adherent patient — biweekly Risperdal Consta; SQ Perseris monthly; established LAI track record
- Prolactin monitoring feasible — therapeutic window 28–112 ng/mL enables plasma-level-guided dosing
- +1 more
Consider an alternative when
- Hyperprolactinemia concern — class-near-top prolactin elevation; galactorrhea, amenorrhea, sexual dysfunction, osteoporosis risk
- Elderly patient with dementia — boxed warning for cerebrovascular events; risperidone specifically studied and flagged
- EPS-vulnerable patient — dose-dependent EPS; parkinsonism and TD risk higher than most newer SGAs
- Cardiometabolic risk patient — second-tier weight gain (~2 kg short-term); worse metabolic profile than aripiprazole/ziprasidone
- +1 more
| Axis | Risperidone SGA |
|---|---|
| Boxed Warnings | |
Cerebrovascular events (elderly w/ dementia) | |
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) | |
| CNS | |
Sedation / somnolence | |
Activation / insomnia | |
Akathisia / EPS | |
Seizure risk | |
| Metabolic | |
Weight gain | |
Metabolic (glucose / lipids) | |
| Endocrine | |
Prolactin elevation | |
| Autonomic | |
Anticholinergic burden | |
Orthostatic hypotension | |
| Cardiac | |
QTc prolongation | |
Heart rate / tachycardia | |
| GI | |
Nausea / GI (general) | |
| Sexual | |
Sexual dysfunction | |
| GU | |
Priapism | |
| Discontinuation | |
Withdrawal / discontinuation | |
| Interactions | |
CYP interactions / DDI profile | |
| Pregnancy | |
Teratogenicity | |
Lactation / breastfeeding safety | |