Risperidone is an antipsychotic forming part of the class of drugs known as atypical antipsychotics. This group of antipsychotics primarily works by reducing the effects of naturally occurring substances in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin.
Risperidone is prescribed to treat psychosis, schizophrenia, mania, severe depression, dementia, agitation, tics, obsessive-compulsive disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Risperidone and the benefit of DNA analysis
The rate at which risperidone is processed within your body varies from one individual to another. This means that the efficacy and side effects of risperidone can be predicted to some extent on the basis of your genes.
Preventive DNA analysis can therefore be an important tool in optimising your medication.
Risperidone and the enzyme CYP2D6
Risperidone is processed to a large extent by the enzyme CYP2D6.
The activity of this enzyme can vary considerably depending on your genetic predisposition, which means the efficacy of risperidone and the risk of side effects can also differ from person to person.
Information about your genetic predisposition may therefore provide grounds for extra vigilance in relation to a treatment with risperidone.
Read more about CYP2D6 enzyme »
Also known as
Risperdal, Risperdon, Risperidona, Risperidonum, Risperin, Rispolept, Rispolin, Sequinan