Risperidone is an antipsychotic used to treat which conditions?

• A. Major depressive disorder
• B. Schizophrenia only
• C. Both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
• D. Bipolar disorder only

Answer: (C)

Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic that helps control psychotic symptoms and can aid mood stabilization. By blocking dopamine D2 receptors and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, it reduces delusions and hallucinations and can help manage mania and mood swings in bipolar disorder. Because of these actions, it is used to treat schizophrenia and to treat manic or mixed episodes in bipolar disorder (often with maintenance therapy). Major depressive disorder is typically treated with antidepressants, and risperidone is not used as the primary treatment for MDD, though antipsychotics may be added in certain cases with psychotic features. So risperidone is used for both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.