Which of the following is a common side effect associated with Risperidone?

• A. Insomnia
• B. Sedation
• C. Orthostatic hypotension
• D. Diarrhea

Answer: (B)

Sedation is a common side effect of risperidone because, like many antipsychotics, it can have a CNS depressant effect due to histamine H1 receptor blockade. This makes people feel sleepy or drowsy, especially when starting treatment or at higher doses, which is why sedation is often prominent.

Insomnia is less typical and would actually contrast with the sedating effect. Orthostatic hypotension can occur with some antipsychotics because of alpha-1 blockade, but it’s not as consistently seen with risperidone as sedation. Diarrhea isn’t a characteristic pattern for risperidone’s adverse effects either.