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Side effects
Matthew was home for the 4th of July weekend, just a few days after his psychiatrist replaced one the medications that helped manage his aggressive behavior with another-Riperdal.
"A study in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that risperdal not only decreased aggression in individuals on the spectrum, but also reduced repetitive behaviors and increased social interaction – all with limited side effects. I'm seeing great results with several of my patients on the spectrum."
I was skeptical. I had two friends whose children had tried the drug, and while their behavior improved greatly, they gained weight. A lot of weight.
"Yes," said Matthew's psychiatrist, "Weight gain is a side effect with this group of medications, but not always. Matthew is a slender guy. I think he'll be alright."
When Matthew got home on Friday night, he ate his regular homecoming meal: roast chicken, potatoes, string beans and peach pie for dessert. The next morning he ate 3 waffles and 6 pieces of bacon. Lunch two hours later was a medium cheese pizza. He just about polished off the guacamole that I had prepared for a 4th of July barbecue, then ate 8 large slices of steak, 3 helpings of salad at least one baguette. He left plenty of room for dessert.
I decided to contact Dr. Fred Volkmar, the Director of the Child Study Center and a Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Psychology at the Yale University School of Medicine to find out what his experience with risperdal was. I had met him when Andy, Matthew's younger brother, took a class from him his sophomore year. He referred me to his colleague, Dr. Lawrence Scahill, the true expert on this topic.
Dr. Scahill told me that weight gain is a common side effect with risperdal.
"The mechanism appears to be directly related to appetite. So what a person eats is very important."
He said that many families have discovered that it is best to keep high carbohydrate food junk food out of the house to avoid a daily struggle.
The good news is the medicine seems s to be working well. Matthew seems more reasonable on risperadal, and a lot more interactive. I'll keep you posted.
In the meantime, let's just hope he develops a taste for celery!
Laura
Laura Shumaker is the author of A REGULAR GUY: GROWING UP WITH AUTISM
and a contributor to A CUP OF COMFORT FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
She writes each Friday for 5 MINUTES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS.
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Comments on Side effects »
Deborah @ 12:13 pm
Both my daughters are on Risperdal and the weight gain has definitely been an issue. My problem is getting my daughter who is deafblind and has always had feeding issues to eat things that are lower in calories. I haev yet to succeed in getting her to eat anything other than smushy foods – mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, etc – and those things are definitely not healthy.
My objective is trying a behavior modification approach while slowly reducing the Risperdal.
LauraS @ 2:23 pm
other than the weight, has it helped??
Barbara @ 3:44 pm
I'm aware of a diagnosis where the person never feels satisfied. I feel really badly for someone like that. I think you'v got the right term – appetite – wanting to eat is triggered by this med, evidently.
"it is best to keep high carbohydrate food junk food out of the house to avoid a daily struggle"
So if he is offered two apples instead of steak….? Which also interacts with the idea of front-loading fiber. With increased quantity of food, if it does not move along in the system – those two facts alone will increase weight.
And, can you find him a few more lawns to mow?
Ecki @ 7:10 pm
When Kayla initially started Risperdal, she ate nonstop! But that only lasted a few weeks and she actually lost weight at her last appointment (although I take those scales with a grain of salt, especially since Kayla won't stand still on them!).
Since Kayla never had any aggressive or self-injurious behaviors, I was surprised that her doctor suggested Risperdal. He felt that it might help her go from being nonverbal to verbal.
Well, that hasn't happened, but she does seem more "present" and able to focus. Not sure if that's worth keeping her on it (she's been on for about 8 months now).
Stacey Harris @ 1:08 pm
WOw… it's intresting to read how differently kids are affected by this medication–
My son who is 6 is taking the smallest dose –he is diagnosised with Sensory Processing Disorder– and it has really helped us– it has helped take the meltdowns to managable level…only about three a month– there is much less agression and a willingness to listen and think before having a temper tantrum….! He seems to be eating as normal.. which is — sometimes he eats well and sometimes he is picky… He hasn't seemed to gain any weight… but then he spends most of his day on his bike.
This medication does help him to sleep — longer and stay sleeping–
I would love to read how other kids are doing on this medication– since it is used for kids with different diagnosis…