Compare Risperdal vs. Haldol
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 control your thoughts, calm agitation, and stabilize your mood.
Haldol (haloperidol) is less likely to cause weight gain and sedation, but more likely to cause movement disorders compared to other antipsychotics.
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3.1/ 5 average rating with 50 reviewsforHaldol
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.
- Haldol (haloperidol) is available in a cheap, generic version.
- A monthly extended-release injection allows for more convenient dosing than a daily pill.
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.
- Haldol (haloperidol) is an older medicine and has a lot more problematic side effects compared to newer antipsychotics.
- You might need routine blood tests and regular check-ups to make sure the medicine is working for you.
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
- Schizophrenia
- Behavioral disorder
- Tourette's syndrome
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Dissolving tablet
- Liquid
- Injection
- Pill
- Liquid
- Injection
Price
No pricing information available
Lowest price
$11.19
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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 review50 reviews so far
38%
saidit'sworth it
42%
saiditworked well
34%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Haldol (haloperidol)?
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%
The Haldol (haloperidol) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
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
- Increased risk of death
- Elderly patients with dementia
- Blood disorders
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Heart problems
- History of heart problems
- Drug interactions
- Shaking and restlessness
- Driving impairment
- Drinking alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert