How long does it take risperdal to start taking effect

Hello Lisa,

Different drugs work differently on each person, whose brain chemistry is sensitive to the kind of drug she's on.  Though I'm not on Risperdal, I can tell you that when my pdoc instituted a cross-titer from the Stelazine to the Geodon [and then went higher on the G by 40 mg] it took two years to get the maximum effect.  Added to that, not all drugs relieve all symptoms at all times, so sometimes I have a minor flutter here and there.  My psychiatrist believes total symptom relief is the only acceptable outcome, and I agree with him when he set this goal for my treatment.

I would say six months is too early to definitively answer whether you've found the full relief, and by three years you should know if things are adequate.  Even better, a person can notice gradual, improved shifts towards symptom relief throughout the course of her recovery.

Best wishes,

Christina