Risperidone

/rɪsˈpɛrɪdoʊn/ noun

Definition

An atypical antipsychotic medication that blocks dopamine and serotonin receptors, used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and irritability in autism spectrum disorder. It has less risk of movement side effects than older antipsychotics.

Etymology

Developed by Janssen Pharmaceutica in the 1980s, the name is derived from its chemical structure. The '-done' suffix is common in pharmaceutical nomenclature, particularly for psychoactive compounds.

Kelly Says

Risperidone was one of the first 'atypical' antipsychotics, earning this name because it caused fewer of the Parkinson's-like movement disorders that plagued earlier medications. It's also available as a long-acting injection given monthly, which revolutionized treatment compliance for patients who struggle to take daily pills.

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