I'm not taking risperdal anymore. I took it a bunch over the past few weeks and every time I do my heart does really weird things. I don't think my pulse has been below 130 in days. I've had this a lot before, but it's not like I've ever seen a competent doctor who has been able to say "it's this med, take this instead." Medical doctors say "it's a side effect of the meds" and the psychiatrists say "no it's not, keep taking it."
I want to get back on taking an antipsychotic daily, but I'm not going to put up with a heart rate double what it used to be/should be.

I've never been on an AP that affected my heart rate. I've tried: Abilify, Latuda, Seroquel, Seroquel XR, Rexulti.

[*Laurie*]

I believe that AP's - and many other psych meds - affect my heart rate. Many times my heart beat is wacky, not consistent. It causes me to feel odd and very tired. The whole thing concerns me a lot.

[Nammu]

I'm with blue, never had heart problems from an AP

[Merlin]

I have never had an AP affect heart rate but my AD Fetzima (an SNRI) increased my resting heart rate.

[Tucson]

I have never had problems with APs regarding my heart rate. An increase or decrease in heart rate is listed as a rare side effect. Irregular heart beat is not. Keep in mind that during clinical trials, they are required to document any and all “symptoms” even though they may be convinced there is no relationship to the drug. For instance, if they found one person sneezing allot, I would think this will be documemnted. They call this “side effects of unknown origin”. I am sure they took their test subjects vitals frequently . So I cannot say where your irregular heart beat is coming from. But what do I know? Maybe it is the Risperidone?

I did say my heart rate is double, which is what I meant by "weird." It's not really irregular, just beating wicked fast for no reason.

Maybe something else I was on permanently messed with me and now I'm just really sensitive in that way. I don't know. I just know I take Risperdal and my heart beats fast and I can't breathe easily, same with all the other antipsychotics I've tried in the past 5 years and a few non-AP psychiatric medications. The hospital said my abnormal ECG was because of clozaril, but what do they know?
But regardless I guess I'll just deal with having increasing psychotic symptoms.

[Tucson]

My mistake. I misread.

[*Laurie*]

I don't trust the side effects lists, necessarily. Just because everyone is different. I feel that meds definitely affect my heart rate. I suppose I should mention it to my pdoc, though. Maybe you should mention it to your pdoc, spikes. It's possible that we're having some kind of odd effect from certain meds or something.

[BipolaRNurse]

Most APs can cause something called "Q-T prolongation", which is basically a disturbance in heart rate and rhythm that can be very serious. If I were you I would definitely insist on having a new ECG done; a pulse rate of 130 is way too fast to be healthy. Get it done ASAP. Please keep us posted.

[Unrigged64072835]

I have a similar problem with APs causing prolonged QT rhythm. My former pdoc had a chart of meds that can cause it, but I'm having trouble finding it on the internet.

Please have an ECG done to rule heart problems out.

All AP’s mess with my head....everyone. My best drug has been methamphetamines... look at every drug from Germany like Vick’s inhalers...it’s an active ingredient in there manufactures.

Highly illegal but it makes us normal. So much for normal.

[raspberrytorte]

Geodon gave me heart problems.

[bizi]

Originally Posted by spikes

.....But regardless I guess I'll just deal with having increasing psychotic symptoms.

Have you tried geodon?
I have been on that for years. Don't have any side effects.
bizi

[amicus_curiae]

I have 11 different heart conditions and I’m on a buttload of APs and I’ve never had one AP that caused an increase in my pulse. In fact, I have low-BP/pulse episodes where I faint.

I’m long overdue for an appointment with my cardiologist but if you’re having high pulse rates, I might suggest that you see a cardiologist.

Originally Posted by bizi

Have you tried geodon?
I have been on that for years. Don't have any side effects.
bizi

I have. Isn't that the worst antipsychotic for qt prolongation? Regardless it gives me insomnia and actually makes my psychosis worse along with vomiting every day. I only lasted a month on it.

I had an ECG done a couple years ago that confirmed qt prolongation and had my dose reduced, but I haven't had another one since.

I liked respiradal and geodon for the least side effects...Latuda made manic and ability gave me headaches with sparky visuals.

I have had problems with tachycardia in the past, but I attributed it to a combination of a long-term mania with stress and mitral valve prolapse, which many people have. I was coincidentally perhaps on Risperdal when I was diagnosed with tachycardia, but I don't know how/if it affected it. A cardiologist put me on Metropolol and it helped. During a psychiatric hospitalization they switched me to Inderal (propranolol) which also helps with tachycardia and a lot more. Since then my heart rate has been fine, regardless of my antipsychotic.

I have heard that Geodon can affect some people's heart (I forget how), but it never did mine and I don't personally know anyone who took it where it did. Some antipsychotics gave me high cholesterol and triglycerides, but not all. My weight and general diet have affected those levels, weight sometimes affected by the meds, though I've been trim taking antipsychotics at points and still struggled with high cholesterol, though my triglycerides have miraculously normalized. I think some (not all) antipsychotics can play a role and not necessarily for all people.

On bipolar meds, I make a point to get an annual physical with my GP, which includes blood testing and vitals. He also orders tests like an EKG every other year. The latter has been normal as has my heart rate, though still on propranolol.

I was slowly taken off Geodon last year. Did that normalize my triglycerides? I don't know. I've read that Geodon is the least likely to cause bad blood levels. I have been on 400-600 mg Seroquel XR since then and was also on at least 300 mg Seroquel XR while on up to 160 mg Geodon. So, my triglycerides are now normal on a higher dose of Seroquel XR? Well, my cholesterol is higher. I have been losing weight (on a diet) while on Seroquel XR. I hope that normalizes my cholesterol, too.