Antipsychotics

Risperidone is used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia (a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions) in adults and adolescents 13 years and older. It is also used to treat manic episodes (frenzied, abnormally excited, or irritable mood) or mixed episodes (symptoms of mania and depression that occur at the same time) in adults and in adolescents and children 10 years and older with bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder; an illness that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal moods). Risperidone is also used to treat behavioral problems such as aggression, self-harm, and sudden mood changes in adolescents and children 5 to 16 years of age with autism (a condition that causes repetitive behavior, difficulty interacting with others, and communication problems). Risperidone belongs to a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics. Its action consists of changing the activity of certain natural substances in the brain.

Lamotrigine is also used as maintenance treatment in adults with bipolar disorder to help delay the onset of mood-altering episodes, such as depression, mania, or hypomania.

Quetiapine tablets and extended-release (long-acting) tablets are used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia (a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions).