Also indexed as: Risperdal
Risperidone is used to manage symptoms associated with psychotic disorders, especially schizophrenia.
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem
contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized
interactions.
 May Be Beneficial: Side effect
reduction/prevention—Taking these supplements may help reduce the likelihood and/or
severity of a potential side effect caused by the medication. |
Vitamin B6 Vitamin E |
| May Be Beneficial: Supportive
interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication
work better. |
Glycine |
 Check: Other—Before taking any of these supplements
or eating any of these foods with your medication, read this article in full for details. |
Licorice White peony |
| Depletion or interference |
None known |
| Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability |
None known |
| Adverse interaction |
None known |
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Vitamin E and Vitamin B6
Vitamin E along with vitamin B6 was used to treat a side effect of risperidone called
neuroleptic malignant syndrome in a 74-year-old woman, and results were
encouraging.1 However, whether vitamin E and vitamin B6 supplementation might help
prevent this condition in people taking risperidone is unknown.
Glycine
In a small double-blind study, people with schizophrenia being treated with risperidone
experienced an improvement in their symptoms when glycine was added to their treatment
regimen.2 The initial amount of glycine used was 4 grams per day; this was
increased gradually over a period of 10 to 17 days to a maximum of 0.8 grams per 2.2 pounds of
body weight per day.
Lithium
Lithium is a mineral present in large amounts in some medications, and may be included in some
mineral supplements. The combination of lithium and risperidone has produced unwanted side
effects such as delirium, confusion, and fever.3 4 Smaller amounts of
lithium are available in some nutritional supplements, but it is not known whether these
amounts are enough to cause a problem in individuals taking risperidone.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza
radix) and White peony(Paeoniae
radix)
An Oriental herb formula containing Glycyrrhiza radix (licorice root) and
Paeoniae radix (white peony root) successfully restored menses in a 28-year-old woman who
had developed amenorrhea (lack of menstruation) while taking risperidone.5
Discontinuation of these herbs while the woman continued taking risperidone again led to
disruption of her menses. Controlled research is needed to determine whether supplementation
with licorice and peony might help prevent amenorrhea in women taking risperidone.
Food
Risperidone oral solution should be mixed in half a glass of water, coffee, orange juice, or
low-fat milk and immediately consumed.6 It should not be mixed with cola or
tea.7
Alcohol
Alcohol increases the breakdown of many antipsychotic drugs.8 More research is
necessary to determine if alcohol consumption might lower blood levels of risperidone.
1. Dursun SM, Oluboka OJ, Devarajan S, Kutcher SP. High-dose vitamin E plus vitamin B6 treatment of risperidone-related neuroleptic malignant syndrome. J Psychopharmacol 1998;12:220–1.
2. Heresco-Levy U, Ermilov M, Lichtenberg P, et al. High-dose glycine added to olanzapine and risperidone for the treatment of schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2004;55:165–71.
3. Chen B, Cardasis W. Delirium induced by lithium and risperidone combination. Am J Psychiatry 1996;153:1233–4.
4. Swanson CL Jr., Price WA, McEvoy JP. Effects of concomitant risperidone and lithium treatment (letter). Am J Psychiatry 1995;152:1096.
5. Yamada K, Kanba S, Yagi G, Asai M. Herbal medicine (shakuyaku-kanzo-to) in the treatment of risperidone-induced amenorrhea. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1999;19:380–1.
6. Threlkeld DS, ed. Central Nervous System Drugs, Antipsychotic Agents. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, May 1998, 267f–8.
7. Threlkeld DS, ed. Central Nervous System Drugs, Antipsychotic Agents. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, May 1998, 267f–8.
8. Ereshefsky L. Pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic considerations in choosing an antipsychotic. J Clin Psychiatry 1999;60 Suppl. 10:20–30.
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Learn more about the authors of Using Medicines with Vitamins and Herbs
The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires September 2008.