Alternatives to risperidone?

I've been taking risperidone 1mg for anxiety for about nine months but have gained a lot of weight so recently stopped taking it. Since coming off it, I can feel that I'm a lot more anxious and obsessive which is starting to become a problem, and I asked the GP if there was an alternative medication which didn't have as strong side effects but she didn't know and said to start taking risperidone again which I really don't want to do. Anyone else had this problem?

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Have you tried one of the newer AAPs like Abilify or Geodon? I know that most of the older ones tend to cause weight gain. I gained a lot on both Risperdal and Seroquel, and Zyprexa is supposed to be even worse.

Alternatively, what about something like Anafranil for obsessive thinking? Have you tried an SSRI like Luvox?

Haven't heard of Abilify or Geodon, might mention them to the GP... The weight gain is horrible, but risperidone was effective for anxiety, obsessive thoughts and mild dissociation. Haven't tried Anafranil but I take sertraline as well (an SSRI) which is really good for mood and doesn't appear to have side effects. Thanks for reply

I feel your pain. I gained 50 lbs on Risperdal and over 100 on Seroquel. I've lost quite a bit now but it was awful (this started in my mid 20's). Seroquel worked better than Risperdal for my obsessive thoughts, but I was forced to cut down from 400 to 100 because of metabolic affects, blood sugar and cholesterol (and not given a choice about it, which was awful after 7 yrs on this med).

I also have a history of eating disorders so the weight gain is a big problem because it triggers thoughts/behaviours which I'm trying to get rid of, and is ironically a reason I was prescribed the meds. Nightmare! Waiting for a referral to a new psychiatrist and going to ask them when I see them...

What about Invega Sustenna? it's the active metabolite of Risperdal though so you may not tolerate that either but there's always a chance

Hadn't heard of that either- thanks! Another thing to ask the psychiatrist...

Abilify, geodon and latuda are all weight neutral or weight negative. Geodon is definitely the most stimulating according to research and my personal experience. Latuda and abilify can be stimulating or sedating for different people. Seroquel is used a lot for anxiety and while it does often cause some weight gain, its not usually as much as zyprexa or risperdal. Hope you find something that works...

Thank you so much for the advice!