Jessica Tyner  |  February 7, 2014

Category: Legal News

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online supportDisclaimer: These stories were shared on an online forum for individuals with “man boobs” (gynecomastia), allegedly caused by Risperdal. See if you qualify for a Risperdal class action lawsuit now.

Risperdal is one of the most popular anti-psychotic medications on the market, and is (relatively) regularly prescribed to adolescent boys. However, some men are coming forward to allege that the drug comes with an embarrassing and permanent side effect that only surgery can address: Gynecomastia, or the development of “man boobs.”

Gynecomastia doesn’t involve excess weight or a temporary condition. Risperdal side effects can include the actual growth of breast tissue in boys and men, sometimes leading up to a D-cup size, even in thin males. Male breast growth doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a seemingly gradual Risperdal complication, and surgery is the only option to fix it.

Some victims of Risperdal side effects have gone online to share their stories about man boobs, offer support to others in the same boat, or get advice on what to do when male breast growth happens. Posting anonymously, it’s often the only outlet these Risperdal victims have—they’re often young, uninformed, and have no idea what’s happening to their bodies. At the core of Risperdal lawsuits, victims say there were not adequate warnings on the drug labels.

A poster called “Give&Take” shares, “I had gynecomastia and was operated last year … the doctors had to check my hormone levels and had to check if the boobs came from my medication … now I’m looking for a med that’s good for treating schizophrenia and doesn’t increase the prolactin and, if possible, doesn’t make you tired. Please recommend a few to me.”

This poster didn’t get any replies for his plea for help, and it’s not surprising. Many boys are first prescribed Risperdal when they’re pre-teens and continue to take it into adulthood. Since doctors also depend on warning labels to make decisions, they also don’t have all the information necessary. However, some of the stories shared are devastating.

“AnneMarie” says, “Risperdal is the worst of the atypical anti-psychotics for elevating prolactin levels. If you had a problem on that med, it doesn’t mean you’ll have a problem on others.”

Of course, this isn’t medical advice—but it is patients speaking from experience.

Another poster, “NotFred,” took it upon himself to share the potential Risperdal complications. He listed “Increased levels of the hormone prolactin—caused by pituitary tumor or particular medicines; increased levels of the estrogenic hormones present in case of certain testicular tumors; and decreased levels of testosterone.”

However, for many patients, it’s the growth of male breast tissue that has them flooding the internet looking for answers. While it’s not dangerous per se, it’s certainly embarrassing and can be traumatizing. These teens are already dealing with mental health issues, and adding what some call a deformity into the mix can be heartbreaking. There are some cases where survivors of man boobs, even post-surgery, still struggle with the bullying they endured.

“StarFish” joined the conversation, noting that he’d hears the rumors about man boobs from Risperdal:

“I read somewhere that some studies were performed on Risperdal being taken by boys causing them gynecomastia and the possible causes. So it’s been demonstrated that Risperdal can mess with the boobs, but they’re still trying to figure out why … maybe Risperdal is just not good for you.”

A number of young patients are in the same situation, grasping for information and oftentimes hiding the early signs of gynecomastia until it’s too late.

“Ferdy” also chimes in, saying “In men, the most common symptoms of hyperprolactinaemia are decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, infertility and gynecomastia. Because men have no reliable indicator such as menstruation to signal a problem, many men … delay going to the doctor.”

Of course, putting off a doctor’s visit isn’t something unique to teens, but this age group is certainly more likely to hide problems rather than speak to their parents about such an embarrassing condition.

In a recent Salon article, one young man who’s now in college shared his nightmare experience with man boobs. It traumatized him for years, forcing him to get breast reduction surgery when he was entering high school. These surgeries are often considered cosmetic and can be very costly. Some boys and their families simply can’t afford it. Living with gynecomastia can lead to a childhood half-lived and that can never be regained.

In general, Risperdal lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or class action lawsuit is best for you. Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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If you or your son took Risperdal between the ages of 10 and 18 years old and suffered gynecomastia (male breast growth), male breast pain, nipple pain, or nipple discharge, you may be entitled to compensation. See if you qualify by submitting your information below for a free and confidential case review.

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