Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic developed by Janssen-Cilag and was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993 for the treatment of schizophrenia. On August 22, 2007, Risperdal was approved as the only drug agent available for treatment of schizophrenia in youth ages 13–18; it was also approved that same day for treatment of bipolar disorder in youth and children ages 10–18, joining lithium. Risperidone contains the functional groups of benzisoxazole and piperidine as part of its molecular structure. In 2003 the FDA approved risperidone for the short-term treatment of the mixed and manic states associated with bipolar disorder. In 2006 the FDA approved risperidone for the treatment of irritability in children and adolescents with autism.


