TREATMENT OF HIV-RELATED PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS WITH RISPERIDONE - A SERIES OF 21 CASES

We describe a consecutive series of 21 patients with HIV or AIDS who r eceived risperidone for psychotic disorders. Of these, 13 became sympt om-free, 7 showed substantial improvement, and 1 had no response. Most responded to low doses of risperidone (mean maximum dose 3.3 mg) and needed only a short course of treatment (mean 6.4 weeks). The 12 manic patients did particularly well: 9 became symptom-free and the mean Yo ung mania rating scale fell from 28.36 to 3.91, No serious adverse eff ects were reported. Three patients became drowsy and two experienced d rooling, but these resolved after dose reductions or at the end of tre atment. No adverse hematological effects were observed. We suggest tha t risperidone may be the treatment of choice for patients with HIV-rel ated psychotic disorders. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.