Compare Risperdal vs. Ativan
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Helps control your thoughts and mood.
Risperdal (risperidone) is an effective medication in treating schizophrenia, mania, and irritability associated with autism; however, amongst other newer medications in its class, it's more likely to cause side effects, such weight gain and hormone problems.
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3.4/ 5 average rating with 45 reviewsforRisperdal
Helps you relax.
Ativan (lorazepam) is an effective medicine for occasional or short-term anxiety. It's less likely to have drug interactions, but more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms compared to similar drugs.
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3.8/ 5 average rating with 642 reviewsforAtivan
Upsides
- Risperdal (risperidone) is effective at relieving psychotic symptoms, manic episodes, irritability, and aggressive behavior. It also lowers relapse rates in people with schizophrenia and people with irritability associated with autism.
- Less likely to cause heart problems compared to other antipsychotics.
- Compared to other antipsychotics, Risperdal (risperidone) causes less sedation and weight gain.
- A generic version available for pill, dissolving tablet, and liquid formulations.
- Effective at relieving short-term anxiety.
- Can be used together with antidepressants to manage anxiety disorders. Especially helpful for anxiety symptoms while you wait for an antidepressant to kick in.
- Less likely to have drug interactions compared to other drugs like it, so it might be a better option if you're taking multiple medications.
Downsides
- Mild to moderate risk of Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) - movement disorders that cause stiffness, tremor, restlessness, and slow, repetitive, or involuntary movements.
- People taking Risperdal (risperidone) might have weight gain and problems with cholesterol or blood sugar.
- Compared to other antipsychotics, this medication has a higher risk of hormone problems that can cause nipples to leak and male breasts to grow abnormally large.
- You might need routine blood tests to check how the medicine is affecting your body.
- Risperdal (risperidone) takes 4 to 6 weeks for its full effects on thoughts and mood.
- Can cause memory problems, drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion.
- Can be habit-forming, so it's not typically used for long-term treatment or for people who've had problems with drug or alcohol abuse.
- Compared to other similar medicines, Ativan (lorazepam) is more likely to cause withdrawal if you take it for a long time and then suddenly stop.
- Most people find that Ativan (lorazepam) gets less effective over time.
Used for
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar I disorder (manic)
- Irritability associated with autistic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Tourette's Syndrome
- Behavioral symptoms associated with dementia
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Depression
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Dissolving tablet
- Liquid
- Injection
- Pill
- Liquid
- Injection
Price
Lowest price
$531.18
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$9.18
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Reviews
45 reviews so far
42%
saidit'sworth it
47%
saiditworked well
49%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Risperdal (risperidone)?
Leave a review642 reviews so far
71%
saidit'sworth it
51%
saiditworked well
15%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Ativan (lorazepam)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
23possible side effects
- Sedation63%
- Increased appetite44%
- Fatigue31%
- Vomiting20%
- Common cold19%
- Constipation17%
- Cough17%
- Fever16%
- Involuntary urination16%
- Drooling12%
- Headache12%
- Hay fever12%
- Dry mouth10%
- Nasal congestion10%
- Nausea8%
- Upper respiratory tract infection8%
- Weight gain8%
- Tremor8%
- Dizziness8%
- Movement disorder8%
- Rash8%
- Increased saliva7%
- Thirst7%
4possible side effects
- Sleepiness16%
- Dizziness7%
- Weakness4%
- Unsteadiness3%
Risks and risk factors
- Increased risk of death
- Elderly patients with dementia
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Heart problems
- History of heart problems
- Drug interactions
- Shaking and restlessness
- High doses of Risperdal (risperidone)
- Higher blood sugar and cholesterol and weight gain
- People with diabetes
- People with high cholesterol
- Driving impairment
- Alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Severe sedation with opioid use
- Taking with opioids
- Tolerance and dependence
- Taking more than the prescribed dose
- Taking Ativan (lorazepam) for longer than 4 weeks
- History of drug abuse
- Withdrawal
- Long-term use
- Driving impairment
- Alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Memory problems