What Happens If You Stop Taking Risnia? Understanding the Risks and Withdrawal

October 9, 2025 •

2 min read

According to a study published on ScienceDirect, nearly three-quarters of individuals who tried to stop their antipsychotic medication reported withdrawal effects, many of which were severe. It is crucial to understand these risks, particularly what happens if you stop taking Risnia, and to consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes.

Quick Summary

Stopping Risnia (risperidone) abruptly can trigger significant withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, agitation, insomnia, and nausea, and increases the risk of relapse of the underlying condition. It can also lead to more serious neurological issues, such as dopamine supersensitivity psychosis. The safest method involves a gradual dose reduction under strict medical supervision.

Key Points

Never Stop Abruptly: Abruptly discontinuing Risnia (risperidone) can cause severe withdrawal symptoms and increase the risk of relapse of the underlying mental health condition.
Expect Withdrawal Symptoms: Common withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, agitation, insomnia, nausea, and dizziness, which result from the brain's readjustment to the absence of the medication.
Risk of Rebound Psychosis: The sudden cessation of Risnia can lead to a dangerous phenomenon called dopamine supersensitivity psychosis, which can cause a more severe psychotic episode.
Relapse is Highly Likely: Without the medication, the symptoms of the condition being treated (e.g., schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) are very likely to return with increased intensity.
Taper Gradually Under Supervision: The safest method for stopping Risnia is a slow, gradual tapering schedule overseen by a healthcare professional, which minimizes withdrawal effects and relapse risk.
Consult a Doctor for a Taper Plan: A doctor can create a personalized tapering schedule based on dosage and treatment duration, and monitor for any returning symptoms.
Consider Supportive Therapies: Alongside tapering, additional supportive therapies like talk therapy can help manage the transition and sustain progress.

The Dangers of Abruptly Stopping Risnia

Risnia (risperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic medication used to treat conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It works by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain. Stopping this medication suddenly can disrupt the brain's neurochemical balance, leading to adverse effects known as antipsychotic discontinuation syndrome. Abrupt discontinuation is generally discouraged unless directed by a doctor for a severe issue like Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). A gradual tapering schedule is the recommended method to reduce withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications.

Common Withdrawal Symptoms and Their Causes

Stopping risperidone can cause dopamine receptors in the brain to become oversensitive, resulting in various withdrawal symptoms. The experience varies based on factors like the duration and dose of medication.

Common symptoms may include:

Psychological distress: Anxiety, restlessness (akathisia), agitation, irritability, and mood swings.
Physical discomfort: Flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and sweating.
Sleep disturbances: Insomnia, restlessness, or vivid dreams.
Motor control issues: Tremors, muscle stiffness, or involuntary movements.

The Severe Risk of Relapse and Rebound Psychosis

Stopping Risnia carries significant risks beyond withdrawal discomfort, particularly concerning the underlying condition.

Relapse of underlying symptoms: Discontinuing the medication increases the likelihood that original symptoms will return, potentially with greater intensity.
Rebound or dopamine supersensitivity psychosis: Abruptly stopping can make the brain overly sensitive to dopamine, potentially triggering a new, possibly more severe, psychotic episode.

The Role of Tapering vs. Abrupt Cessation

Gradual tapering helps the brain and body adapt to lower medication levels, minimizing withdrawal and relapse risks.


Feature	Gradual Tapering (Medically Supervised)	Abrupt Cessation (Stopping Cold Turkey)
Symptom Severity	Minimizes or avoids severe withdrawal symptoms	High risk of intense withdrawal symptoms
Relapse Risk	Significantly reduces the likelihood of relapse	Dramatically increases the risk of relapse
Neurological Risk	Decreases the risk of dopamine supersensitivity psychosis	Increases the risk of rebound psychosis and other movement disorders
Patient Monitoring	Includes close supervision by a healthcare team	No medical oversight; potential for unrecognized complications
Underlying Condition	Allows management of the underlying condition while tapering	Leaves the underlying condition unmanaged

How to Safely Discontinue Risnia

Any decision to stop Risnia should be made with a healthcare provider. Key steps for safe discontinuation include:

Consult your doctor: Discuss your desire to stop with your physician or psychiatrist to assess risks and benefits and plan the process.
Establish a tapering plan: Your doctor will create a gradual schedule to reduce your dose over time. The plan's duration is based on individual factors.
Monitor for symptoms: Report any new or returning symptoms during tapering so the plan can be adjusted.
Consider alternative strategies: Supportive therapies like talk therapy may be recommended.

Conclusion

Stopping Risnia suddenly is risky and can lead to severe withdrawal, rebound psychosis, and relapse. A gradual, medically supervised tapering schedule is the safest approach. Working with a healthcare professional ensures a safer process and transition.

For more information on discontinuing antipsychotic medication, you can refer to the resources provided by mental health organizations like Mind UK: Coming off antipsychotics - Mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you should never stop taking Risnia on your own. Abrupt cessation can trigger severe and dangerous withdrawal symptoms, including a rebound of your original condition or even new psychotic symptoms.

Common withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, agitation, restlessness (akathisia), insomnia, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, and flu-like symptoms. These typically start within a few days of stopping the medication.

Rebound psychosis is a potential outcome of stopping antipsychotic medication like Risnia suddenly. It occurs when the brain's dopamine receptors become highly sensitive after prolonged medication use, leading to a new, potentially more severe, psychotic episode.

Withdrawal symptoms usually peak within the first week after cessation and gradually decrease over two to four weeks. However, some individuals may experience persistent mood instability or sleep difficulties for longer periods.

The safest way to stop Risnia is to follow a gradual, medically supervised tapering schedule. A doctor will create a plan to slowly reduce your dose over weeks or months, allowing your body to adjust and minimizing side effects.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you frequently miss doses, it can increase your risk of relapse.

Withdrawal symptoms are the physical and psychological effects of the body adjusting to the absence of the drug, like nausea or restlessness. A relapse is the return of the original psychiatric symptoms, such as hallucinations or mania, for which the medication was initially prescribed.