HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Are There Any Negative Interactions Between Risperdal And Epilim?

Posted on Mon, 13 Jul 2015

Question: Hi there...I am from Australia and would like your opinion. My son XXXXXXX is 30 years old, has classic Autism with Epilepsy as well (Tonic Clonic seizures). He is 6ft 4in & weighs 90kg. He has had 3 seizures in the last 18 months with the last one causing him serious damage to his face & head. He was on Topamax (Topirimate) but has now changed to Sodium Valproate (Epilim)...now on 2000mg a day. He did get a slight rash across the nose & cheeks and still has it but hoping it may settle. Has been on the full dose rate now for a couple of weeks. He was also taking Risperdal to keep him settled and calmer but I've been told it may be causing the Seizure breakthroughs. He was on 4mg a day. So he was given Paxam (Clonazepam) to replace Risperdal but he is still very unsettled...loud & obnoxious really, very repetitive talk(non-stop)...just words - not relevant talk. He only has 2-3 word phrases and mostly repetitive at the best of times. A higher dose of Paxam sedated him too much which I don't really want. He was quite manageable & happy with the Risperdal so I am tempted to put him back onto it...maybe only 2mg a day. He was quite aggressive as a young fella and he has been so good 90% of the time with the Risperdal. I have also read about Straterra and Guanfacine for ADHD symptoms. Would either of these help or can you suggest another drug to try to calm him down. Do you think there is a risk of bringing on seizures by putting him back on Risperdal of 2mg a day as I have been told the Epilim is a better medication for Tonic Clonic seizures rather than Topamax so thought maybe the Risperdal might not interfere with it or the actual Epilepsy as much. I realize there is no guarantee of no seizures but he hadn't had any for about 10 years prior to these last three turns. He only developed epilepsy at age 18. He also has troubling getting words out at times...like a stutter. I thought this may have been from the Topamax or the Risperdal but still has trouble even though we have stopped both of these now. I thought he may settle with just the Epilim and no Paxam or Risperdal but I still feel he needs something to calm the Autism side of things. Thanking you...XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Keppra should be tried to control seizures.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

I think you are right about Epilim and Risperdal use, the most common interaction side effect is the weight gain.

To minimize this possibility, using half dose of Risperdal may help.

Straterra and Guanfacine are used to treat ADHD,but not well studied about antiepileptic drugs interactions.

Another possibility with less side effects and XXXXXXX undesirable interactions about seizures control is Keppra (Levetiracetam).

Since it is a prescription drug, its use should be discussed with your son's treating Doctor.

Hope this helps. I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications.

Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (15 hours later)

Thank you....I'll ask our doctor about Keppra. Do you find that this drug receives more positive feedback from your patients than Epilim & would it be quite reliable for stopping the seizures...especially if i give my son a lower dose of Risperdal as well?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Keppra results in good seizures control.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

Keppra is a relatively new drug against seizures when other drugs fail to control them (especially partial onset ones), with very good results in clinical practice.

Risperdal should be used with precaution and lowest dose possible to control symptoms, because its use may increase risk of seizures.

Hope this helps. Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E