Does antipsychotics (risperidone) shorten life span?

Hi everyone! I am a 14 year old boy. I am new to this community (its really awesome by the way) and i have a serious question to ask. recently, i was diagnosed with early psychosis and the doctor gave me risperidone. But i came across an article saying that some antipsychotics can shorten lifespan. but i just want to know does it actually happen?
if yes, is it because of diabetes? weight gain? or is it because of the drug itself. also, i am worried about being misdiagnosed. but those suicidal thoughts are driving me crazy (well I'm kinda crazy already but whatever)
Thanks for ANY advice.
Moderators, please review this as quick as possible, its kind of urgent. THANKS



P.S. i am taking half a tablet of 1mg risperidone. i'll take it today to get the most benefits.

Welcome to PC!

I think this is a hard question to answer & perhaps controversial to some. I'll give you my opinion though.

In general I would say that short-term use of APs is not likely to shorten ones life expectancy. What might however, is long term use of APs, particularly at high doses.

How? Well I believe you've hit the nail on the head with regards to two factors that can be a consequence of using APs. Obesity & diabetes. Both are known to shorten life expectancy, particularly diabetes which reduces life expectancy by something like 10 years (for type II). A study by Johns Hopkins also found that high doses of first-generation APs (typical APs) were associated with a greater risk of cardiac disease. (Risperidone is a second-generation, or atypical AP by the way)

However, of interest in that same study it was shown that schizophrenics who adhered to their medication regime, avoided high doses & who regularly saw a mental health professional had a longer life span than they would have off medication. Bear in mind though that's specific to schizophrenics.

So what do we take from this all? The risk in my mind comes from the indirect consequences of some of the side effects of APs. With close monitoring from a doctor you can look out for significant increases in weight or high blood sugar so that if needed medication can be changed. Outwith that you can do your best to eat healthily & regularly exercise.

In your case however I really wouldn't worry. You are only just starting on a low dose of risperidone & you seem quite pro-active, so will know what problems to look out for but as it's a low dose these are unlikely.

As for your diagnosis, I'm interested to know exactly what "early psychosis" refers to. Are you experiencing any hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren't there), or have any delusions (strange beliefs or paranoid thinking)? These are usually the things one would associate with psychosis. However I know that typically at a young age like yourself psychiatrists are hesitant to diagnose a specific condition.

Just like they said ^ it can be when you take them for LONG periods of time, many years. you have nothing to worry about , i took it when i was 18 but had to stop bc of a side effect but its a good med ive heard. it didnt help me but i have a weird issue with meds not helping

Shots fired to my 5 year, old boys female breast lawsuit as result of resperdone use....maybe I wasn't a boy until 11 years.....no taking it

AP's shrink brains as well with long term usage.

https://www.madinamerica.com/2013/06...age-an-update/


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Thanks! I am taking a relatively low dose. I experienced hallucinations, heard voices and I have some insane suspicions towards other people. I didn't see any more hallucinations since I took risperidone. I also had less delusions and I feel a lot happier than I used to.
Last question. Can I drink caffeinated drinks? I WAS a huge fan of monster energy drinks. Notice I said WAS.
I'm 14 btw
Ps the doctor said this is an early stage of schizophrenia.

my doctor wanted me to stay away from caffeine because I was having sleep issues----so you can drink them if you're not having sleep issues.

My answer would be yes and no. It entirely depends on what antipsychotic you're taking because everyone reacts to these drugs differently, and how high of a dose of said antipsychotic you're taking, and for how long you've been taking it. Risperdal totally screwed me up while I was taking it and it didn't give me any sort of relief, thankfully I wasn't on it for too long but I would not recommend that antipsychotic to anyone for a lot of reasons. There are better medications out there these days. Though take what I am saying with a grain of salt as I am not a doctor and I was on a VERY high dose of that drug.

Just thought i would add a few links to the contrary about shortening life span. Anti-psychotics do have long term side effects, but if taken at lower doses, and the individual goes for regular checkups with there psychiatrist, and general practitioner lives can be extended. I am not defending the use of these drugs, but some people are in situations where they are there only option, and are necessary to extending there life.
People with mental illness are prone to heart disease, and diabetes, and that is the contributing factor to an early death.

They also have a tendency to not take care of themselves by smoking, over eating, and living sedentary lifestyles, along with no exercise. They also don't go for regular checkups with there general practitioner for there physical health, by overlooking there physical health do to there mental health.

I am tapering my antipsychotic because i have been misdiagnosed, not necessarily out of fear do to an increase in long term side effects like cardiovascular disease or metabolic syndrome, which seems to be caused by first generation antipsychotics, and high doses of second generation antipsychotics, along with lifestyles, and lack of attention someone with mental illness gives to there physical health.

Study: Use of Antipsychotic Drugs Improves Life Expectancy for Individuals with Schizophrenia - 11/01/2012

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog...ns-dying-young

I don't know but to me even if the answer was yes it would be worth taking it over suffering. Something to think about.

i would like to know which Antipsychotic are better these days, as you mentioned it. i am on risperidion myself and tried to taper it off (from 4mg to about daily 0,5mg or 0,75-or 1). also high dosed in the beginning. but i also have my worries about it for my self. it seems to do wonders in others. but as i said can you inform me about the ..maybe better options there are nowadays?

and to hellcat: goodluck to you, i hope it will help you. (it s not a high dose, so for now using it and as it seems helps you, i wouldnt worry so much. but i understand given your you age and already now these kind of mediciations yes. i think its only a good sign that you actually think about these things in any way.

thanks in advance.

Risperidone has been shown to cause breast development in boys. Maybe you could take a small dose of Zyprexa?

They all have side effects that are about the same. Most if not all are dose dependent, so just keep the doses low and you should be fine.

Risperidone is also used off-label to treat behavioral disturbances in elders with dementia. Maybe there is a concern about it only for these people.

Risperidone didnt do enough for my schizo tendencies. My prolactin level was altered so my periods stopped. It gave me muscle contraction s in my calves was horrible.
I will need anti psychotic s till I die.
I've heard they aren't good in long run . But I think partly it's like u say. It's that person's lifestyle that leads to heart problems and diabetes.
Seroquel n olanzapine nearly always cause weight gain and also the thyroid can be affected.

I worry what will happen in the future

My understanding is they increase metabolic syndrome but decrease suicide so it's a bit of a wash as the rate of suicide for people with schizophrenia is higher than average.

Metabolic syndrome refers to risk factors that cause heart disease, diabetes etc.

High ldl cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood sugar, high blood pressure are all risk factors for developing metabolic syndrome.

If one can take care of themselves and watch what they eat, and how much they eat, along with staying on top of there overall health, combined with some excersice, then metabolic syndrome can be avoided. It just takes discipline.

The problem is how they increase metabolic syndrome....they change ampk in your brain which triggers a hunger response.....you are literally hungry all the time on certain APs although all of them cause a little weight gain. Secondly they alter the good bacteria in your gut and this can change how effectively you get calories from food so you can eat the same way but get fat anyway.....fun....

I've gained 10 pounds since starting risperidone, which I think I needed so a little weight gain hasn't been a problem for me. I do however feel hungry quite a bit quite often, but I just ignore it and avoid snacking, and don't over eat when I do have a meal, and it seems to work.

In ten or twenty years there could be some new drugs on the market that don't have such nasty side effects.
I think if you look after yourself you obviously have a better chance. You will have to do some research, get the inner detective on the case

anything is going to shorten your lifespan if you let it but as long you know that then maintain a journal of your moods and show your psychiatrist to keep as accurate as possible that's what I do because they only see me once every two weeks and its not accurate enough for them to judge me from just seeing me one day compared to seeing me like everyday. Then you can see if your slipping into suicidal tendencies or not.

i took that med and gained like 80 pounds