The psychological trauma of developing breasts, a rare condition known as gynecomastia, is another potential side effect for males who take the antipsychotic drug Risperdal.

Last year, the medical journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reported that researchers concluded that even mild male breast growth can have a serious, negative psychological impact on boys.

Approved for use in children in 2006, Risperdal, or risperidone, treats autism, bipolar disorder, irritability, aggression or other behavior disorders. Risperdal side effects have spawned hundreds of lawsuits over the pain and suffering resulting from gynecomastia.

There are currently in excess of 400 Risperdal lawsuits pending against J&J and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, 130 of them for allegedly causing the phenomenon known as “man boobs.”

In 2012, Johnson & Johnson reached a confidential settlement for a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit brought by a 21-year-old man who said that growing breasts resulted in “severe psychological trauma.” The plaintiff underwent a mastectomy to remove the breasts. A short time later, J&J settled Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits brought on behalf of at least five other boys who experienced male breast development.

In November, J&J paid in excess of $2.2 billion in both criminal and civil fines to settle accusations that it improperly promoted Risperdal and the drug Invega — used to treat some forms of schizophrenia — to children, older adults and people with developmental disabilities.

The mental anguish of being bullied and teased for man boobs results in depression, anxiety and insecurity in young men already battling mental health issues.

Risperdal lawsuits allege that the manufacturer did not adequately warn boys prescribed the medication that the trauma of breast development was a possible side effect and that surgery might be needed to have the breasts removed.

Risperdal Side Effects at Issue in Lawsuits

The Wall Street Journal reported in 2008 that a study on antipsychotics showed Risperdal, compared with newer drugs, had the strongest connection with gynecomastia in children and adolescents, making up 70 percent of the cases analyzed. The same study, conducted by a Duke University psychiatrist, found some girls taking Risperdal lactated before hitting puberty.

Males who took Risperdal, Risperidone or Risperdal Costa between the ages of 10 and 18 and experienced any of the following Risperdal side effects may qualify for compensation through a Risperdal injury lawsuit:

• male breast growth
• man boobs
• gynecomastia
• painful breasts
• nipple pain and/or nipple discharge.

It is believed that the drug may cause elevated levels of the hormone prolactin in those who take the medication.