[Cplus]

So I want to come off Risperidone and I saw that the best way to do it was to take 10% less of a dose every 3 to 4 weeks. But I was wondering do they have doses like that? For example I'm on 4 milligrams right now so would they have 3.6 mg? It doesn't seem they would have an odd dosage to give me but I haven't asked my doctor yet so I don't know if they do that, I would like to know if you guys know. Also would it be difficult doing 10% less every three to four weeks to come off Risperidone? I've been on it for 4 years I was wondering if doing it this way would greatly decrease the withdrawal affect because I'm trying to make this as painless as possible. Please let me know thank you!

[CANDC]

Hi Cplus. Welcome to Psych Central. Sorry you are thinking about withdrawing from a med without consulting your doctor.

From what I have learned working with a friend during doctor initiated withdrawal from meds to change to other meds, is to follow what the doctor says. Not doing so has landed my friend in Inpatient Hospital when they went downhill.

[*Laurie*]

What does your doctor say to do?

[WildcatVet]

Originally Posted by CANDC

Hi Cplus. Welcome to Psych Central. Sorry you are thinking about withdrawing from a med without consulting your doctor.

From what I have learned working with a friend during doctor initiated withdrawal from meds to change to other meds, is to follow what the doctor says. Not doing so has landed my friend in Inpatient Hospital when they went downhill.

Well said! The doctor can give you a specific schedule and the appropriate pills...after all, the doctor knows better than something you read or heard somewhere. Just don't try to do it yourself, please...it could lead to a disaster.

[Guiness187055]

Never try to detox yourself. Always ask your doctor. Some of these meds if they aren't discontinued the right way can cause major problems or some even death.

[Cplus]

Hey guys I guess I worded my post poorly. My doctor knows that I want to come off risperidone we're planning to do it on January because that's when I've decided to do it. The reason I'm asking about the dosage reduction is because I want to come up with a good schedule with my doctor in the mall so curious to know if anyone else has been through risperidone withdrawal and what schedule they've used.

I've tried posting three times already but they don't seem to be going through hopefully this one does. Thanks for the replies!

[CANDC]

Hi CPlus new members have their posts approved by volunteers until they have over 5 posts. That is the reason your initial posts did not appear. Duplicate posts are not published.

Hope you get the support you are looking for.

[splitimage]

Hi Cplus,

Your Dr would be in a better place to advise you but Riperidone does come in small dose pills. There's a 0.5 mg and I believe a 0.25 mg pill.

splitimage

[still_crazy]

hi. pill cutters can help. risperidone is generic now, and there's a whole lot of pill sizes. i think antipsychotics/tranquilizers can be more difficult to taper than some other drugs, because they have such a profound effect on people. try to do it slowly, if you can.

[vishva8kumara]

There are several ways to taper a pill.
If it is not delayed release or extended release and not expensive..
> You could dissolve the pill in a measuring flask of water (e.g: 100ml) and drink a fraction of it (e.g: 90ml, 80ml).
> You can use a nail file and shave off a certain number of strikes from an end.

For something like Cymbalta with pellets inside, I had to line those pellets across a folded paper crease and measure a fraction to be taken inside an empty capsule.

Another popular method is to getting a micro-gram scale. In this method, one thing to remember is that the actual weight of a pill is the weight-of-active-medicinal chemical+fillers.

Those are some options. But discuss with your doctor about what method works best for your specific medication. Risperidone should be fine with any of the above mentioned titration methods.