Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis
Published on: November 21, 2013
Neurologic side effects in neuroleptic-naive patients treated with haloperidol or risperidone
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University Medical Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Objective:
To compare the side effect profile of risperidone with that of oral haloperidol in patients with no previous exposure to antipsychotic drugs (APDs).
Background:
Early studies suggested that the APD risperidone may have a side effect profile comparable with that of placebo. These early studies involved patients with chronic schizophrenia and a long history of APD use. Very little information is available regarding the neurologic side effects of risperidone in patients without previous APD exposure.
Methods:
The authors prospectively studied 350 consecutive neuroleptic-naive patients admitted to their acute-care psychiatry service; 34 of these were treated with risperidone (mean dose, 3.2 mg/d) and 212 were treated with low-dose haloperidol (mean dose 3.7 mg/d). All patients were assessed on admission and twice weekly thereafter using rating scales for dystonia, parkinsonism, akathisia, and dyskinesia.
Results:
The incidence and severity of dystonic reactions, akathisia, parkinsonism, and dyskinesia were comparable in the risperidone- and haloperidol-treated groups.
Conclusions:
The neurologic side effect profile of low-dose risperidone is comparable with that of haloperidol in patients receiving APDs for the first time. Risperidone may not be a useful alternative to typical APDs for patients with PD and psychosis.
More Related Videos
09:12Three Laboratory Procedures for Assessing Different Manifestations of Impulsivity in Rats
Published on: March 17, 2019
06:25Paw-Print Analysis of Contrast-Enhanced Recordings (PrAnCER): A Low-Cost, Open-Access Automated Gait Analysis System for Assessing Motor Deficits
Published on: August 12, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects
Unlike...
Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview
Antipsychotic Drugs: Typical and Atypical Agents
Antipsychotic Drugs: Therapeutic Uses and Side Effects
Despite these side effects, antipsychotics are used therapeutically for various purposes, including managing schizophrenia, preventing nausea and vomiting, curbing...
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications