Is risperidone safe for my mom who has dementia and has delusions?

Thanks to everyone who answered my concerns. I started the Risperidone yesterday and I know it's extremely early but so far no concerns. I'll keep my fingers crossed. After reading your comments, I now feel a lot better about using this medication.

Again, I want to thank everyone for responding to my question and to do so as quickly as you did. my prayers to you and your loved ones!

There are many medications that have "black box warnings" about not giving it to elderly or those with dementia. Seroquel, which my mom took, is another one and it worked quite well for her. It may be trial and error with any new med. They will work for some and not for others. Be patient and if you notice increased agitation or additional problems let the doc know another med can be tried. My mom could not take Ativan, which works very well for some, but had the completely opposite effect on my mom.

My mother and MIL were prescribed this medication (both in their 80’s) for the symptoms you described and both tolerated it quite well. There may have been side effects (which every med has) but the benefits of taking the med were greater than the negatives. I did not see any adverse side effects but I wasn’t there all the time.
Agitation is very common in dementia and most of the time gets worse. If her doctor prescribed it, have a discussion with him/her about your concerns.
Good luck to you!

I'm no expert, but, I have read that many people with dementia take it and it does help. Everyone is different. If the doctor prescribes a medication, and you aren't going to comply with the instructions, I'd immediately discuss it with the doctor, because, people can hurt themselves due to delusions and hallucinations. I know someone that happened to. He got scared from an hallucination, ran into the street, fell, fractured hip and never recovered.

All meds have risks. When my LO was prescribed a certain med, I researched it online and was very worried that it said not for dementia patients, but, when I talked to numerous other caretakers, family members of dementia patients, etc., they all said yes, MANY people with dementia take that med and it really helps them. It turned out fine and my LO took a small dose of that med for years with no problem. She also took a daily med for anxiety and depression. That helped a lot too. It wasn't Risperidone, but, another med. She did take Risperidone too, for a short time. She never had any scary hallucinations. Just sweet and kind ones. But, everyone is different.

My mother who had vascular dementia and delusions and was put on a low dose of Risperidone and it helped her enormously. The delusions stopped. The paranoia stopped. A bit later due to progression of the disease not a side effect of Risperidone, she needed an antidepressant which would be something to watch for in your mum. I think rather than looking on the internet ask her doctor about the side effects and what you should be watching for. Likely the doctor has experience in using this drug. It was a God send for us.