RISPERIDONE THERAPY IN THE CONTROL OF BEHAVIORAL DISTURBANCES IN PATIENTS WITH LEARNING-DISABILITY

Objective: The objective of this audit to examine the effect of risper idone therapy in controlling some behavioural disturbances in people w ith learning disability. Method: Retrospective analysis of various beh avioural disturbances before and after beginning risperidone therapy ( during the month before risperidone was started in each case, and duri ng September 1994 in all cases). Results: Risperidone was found to be effective in controlling various behaviour problems in 12 of 17 patien ts. Conclusion: Risperidone may selectively influence behaviour proble ms secondary to possible underlying mental illness but not others. The re was also some evidence that it was more effective in an average dos e of 6-8mg/day, but was not beneficial in doses smaller or larger than this dose range.