Q. I am bipolar. I am on Effexor and Risperdal without a mood stabilizer. Is Risperdal ever indicated for the management of mania with psychotic features in the place of a mood stabilizer?

  A. Risperdal is probably effective as a mood stabilizer, albeit clinical trials sufficient to prove this for the FDA are not yet complete. Double blind, placebo controlled trials of small size (as well as open trials) suggest it is very effective.