Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Risperidone is an antipsychotic: it blocks dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in the brain. It is used for schizophrenia, for mania in bipolar disorder, and for severe irritability or aggression in autism and dementia. It is sold as Risperdal, among other names, and also as a long-acting injection.
The liver enzyme CYP2D6 turns risperidone into paliperidone (9-hydroxyrisperidone), which is also active. People with little or no CYP2D6 activity keep more risperidone itself and those with extra activity convert it faster, so the balance between the two forms shifts with the gene. DPWG has published a guideline on CYP2D6 and risperidone, and the US FDA lists an effect on drug levels. Many studies have looked at dopamine and serotonin receptor genes (DRD2, HTR2A, HTR2C) and at side effects such as weight gain, with weaker and mixed evidence.
Clinical guidelines that name a gene for Risperidone. They sort people into groups by the gene copies they carry.
DPWG guideline: CYP2D6. CYP2D6 activity score 0 to 6 or more. 2024.
Every published finding on gene variants and Risperidone. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
CYP2D6 CYP2D6*1, CYP2D6*1xN, CYP2D6*3, CYP2D6*4, CYP2D6*5, CYP2D6*6, CYP2D6*10, CYP2D6*14: Level 1A · replicated. Metabolism/PK: Psychotic Disorder, Schizophrenia. 23.
HTR2C rs3813929: Level 3. Toxicity: Mental Disorders, Schizophrenia. 8.
HTR2C rs1414334: Level 3. Toxicity: Metabolic Syndrome. 5.
HTR2C rs6318: Level 3. Toxicity: Schizophrenia, Weight gain. 5.
Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Studies of how much of the drug people needed or tolerated.
ABCB1 rs2032582: Allele A is not associated with dose of risperidone as compared to allele C.
Studies that do not fall into the groups above.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Antipsychotics (class) (Antipsychotics)
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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