Is risperidone safe during pregnancy?

I take risperidone. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

In some people, risperidone may raise the levels of a hormone called prolactin. High levels of prolactin can stop ovulation (part of the menstrual cycle when an ovary releases an egg). This would make it harder to get pregnant. Your healthcare provider can test your levels of prolactin if there is concern.

Does taking risperidone increase the chance of miscarriage?

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Risperidone use is not expected to increase the chance of miscarriage.

Does taking risperidone increase the chance of birth defects?

Birth defects can happen in any pregnancy for different reasons. Out of all babies born each year, about 3 out of 100 (3%) will have a birth defect. Some studies reported an increase chance of birth defects when risperidone is used in pregnancy. Other studies have not reported an increase chance. Overall, if there is an increased chance of birth defects with risperidone use, it is likely small.

Does taking risperidone in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?

Some studies have reported a higher chance for pregnancy-related problems, and other studies have not. One study found no increase in preterm delivery (birth before week 37). Another suggested that risperidone may increase the chance of low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth).

Risperidone may cause weight gain and problems with blood sugar in a person who is pregnant. This may increase the chance of developing gestational diabetes. More information about gestational diabetes can be found in our fact sheet https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/diabetes-pregnancy/ .

I need to take risperidone throughout my entire pregnancy. Will it cause withdrawal symptoms in my baby after birth?

The use of some medications during pregnancy may cause temporary symptoms in newborns soon after birth. These symptoms are sometimes referred to as withdrawal. Babies exposed to risperidone near the time of delivery should be watched for stiff or floppy muscles, drowsiness, agitation, tremors, trouble breathing, and problems with feeding. In most cases, symptoms would be expected to go away in a few days without any long-term health effects. It is important that your healthcare providers know you are taking risperidone so that if symptoms occur your baby can get the care that is best for them.

Does taking risperidone in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?

One study which looked at risperidone in the 2 nd half of pregnancy did not find an increased chance of autism, attention deficit, or intellectual disability in the exposed children.

If a male takes risperidone, could it affect fertility (or increase the chance of birth defects?

Using risperidone may raise a person’s levels of the hormone prolactin, which may affect fertility (ability to get partner pregnant). Studies have not been done to see if risperidone could increase the chance of birth defects above the background risk. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase the risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/ .