risperdal?

[catwoman2]

Not sure if that's the correct spelling. Anyways, the pediatrician. just gave us a presciption for it to help my difficult child get to sleep at night. She's to take it about 1 hour before bed. Her sleeplessness is a side effect from taking concerta. Has anyone used this in a child with adhd? And if so, are there any side effects or anything I should be watching for? :warrior:

 

[jal]

Hi,

Risperdal is an antipsychotic and can be used for treating aggression. My son was on it for Early Onset Bi-Polar (EOBP). It did not help, but he was on a low dose. Watch for weight gain. My young son put on weight rapidly and another side effect for boys for lack of the medical term is "man boobs". He began to develop those too. We weaned him off of it and he lost the weight and the "boobs".

 

[wakeupcall]

My difficult child was on Risperdal for several years for aggression. It can cause sedation which it did in him till his system became used to it. He also gained weight.

 

[SRL]

I have never heard of a doctor suggesting this medication for the sole purpose of helping a child get to sleep at night. Melatonin, Benadryl, and Chlonodine, yes but not risperdal.

Was this a regular pediatrician subscribing this medication? Most won't get into medications like risperdal but refer you to a specialist if more is needed.

 

[smallworld]

I have to agree with SRL. Atypical antipsychotics like Risperdal have a pretty hefty side effect profile (weight gain, metabolic changes that can lead to diabetes, dystonia, etc) that would not make them the first medication tried just for sleep issues. If aggression, agitation, mania or significant anxiety were some of the symptoms needing to be targeted in addition to sleep, then Risperdal would be a good choice.

 

[catwoman2]

I think we've decided not to put our difficult child on this medication. There are too many side effects to warrant using this as a sleep aid. I also wasn't very comfortable giving this to her anyways. I think we'll try the melatonin. Is melatonin something you can buy at the drugstore? Thanks so much guys for all your support.