Summary Risperidone seems to produce somewhat more extrapyramidal side effects and clearly more prolactin increase than most other atypical antipsychotics. Risperidone, the first drug approved for children with autism and the most widely used, improves some children’s behavior but can have severe side effects, suggests an informal analysis of the drug’s use. Risperidone is a second generation antipsychotic that is fda approved for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and behavioral issues with autism. It is generally effective and used commonly. Side effects include sedation, weight gain, increase in lipids and blood sugar, hunger, severe muscle reactions such as dystonia, tremors, among others. It. Risperdal (risperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic prescribed to treat: schizophrenia, bipolar mania, and autism. Risperdal is available as a generic drug. Risperidone is used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia (a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions) in adults and teenagers 13 years of age and older. In Summary. Commonly reported side effects of risperidone include: agitation, akathisia, anxiety, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dystonia, extrapyramidal. Risperidone is an antipsychotic medicine that works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain. Risperidone is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children who are at least 13 years old. Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic drug that is used for treating schizophrenia, bipolar mania, and autism. Other atypical antipsychotic drugs include olanzapine , quetiapine , ziprasidone , aripiprazole and paliperidone (Invega). Risperidone oral tablet may cause drowsiness. It may also cause other side effects. More common side effects. The more common side effects of risperidone can include: Risperidone is used to treat certain mental/mood disorders (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, irritability associated with autistic disorder).