A recent Risperdal gynecomastia study shows that the risk for developing gynecomastia while taking the antipsychotic drug is as high as 69 percent, while most Risperdal studies have indicated a slight to moderate increased chance of developing gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia is the abnormal development of breasts in male patients, and has been associated with Risperdal.

This recent Risperdal study also states that it is not just adolescent boys who are at risk of developing this condition, but that middle aged men are also at risk. A group of scientists had collaborated on Medscape, and presented their results at the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry Annual Meeting.

The conducting researchers had compared over 8,000 men who suffered from gynecomastia with nearly 83,000 control subjects to compare. Each of the men were between the ages 40 and 85, and were on different antipsychotics like Risperdal, Seroquel, and Zyprexa.

The Risperdal study lasted from June 2001 to June 2011, and showed that Risperdal had the most cases of male breast growth by far in comparison to the other drugs. Overall, Risperdal had shown a 69 percent increased risk of gynecomastia development compared to men who had not taken the medication, and a 40 percent increase compared to other antipsychotics.

This study is interesting to medical experts because it was initially thought that gynecomastia was primarily a risk to pediatric or adolescent patients, because they are in the developing stages of their lives.

Studies show that Risperdal increases the amount of prolactin in the human body, which is responsible for breast development in women. However, no one is certain what may exactly cause gyencomastia and with this recent study, the growth and development theory is starting to look bleak to some.

Aside from the obvious physical deformity, gynecomastia or “man boobs” often causes patients to suffer tremendous psychological trauma due to the discomfort and awkwardness of male breasts.

Oftentimes, surgical intervention is required to remove the breasts, with the patients complaining of permanent scarring. Medical experts consider this condition to be very serious, and any research to determine the cause or remedy is immediately reviewed.

This study is no different, as researchers concluded that Risperdal is very likely to cause male breast growth. They based this conclusion on the number of gynecomstia cases with Risperdal patients, and that doctors should consider prescribing a different medication over Risperdal.

Furthermore, additional studies should be conducted to observe the possible correlation between Risperdal and gynecomastia.

Overview of Risperdal Gynecomastia Concern

As scientists continue to persist towards a solution, thousands of male patients are contending with the Risperdal side effects of gynecomastia. Alongside abnormal breast growth, patients have reported nipple pain, nipple discharge, breast pain, and other uncomfortable side effects.

Due to the development of “man boobs,” there are now over 400 Risperdal lawsuits pending in federal courts throughout the country.

The primary defendants named in the cases are Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary, Janssen Pharmaceuticals. They are facing Risperdal lawsuits over their allegedly aggressive advertising tactics and disregard of federal drug safety regulations.

While Risperdal was approved in 1993 to treat major psychological disorders in adult patients, it was not approved to treat children and adolescents until at least 2006.

This has led to the company being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice for fraudulent marketing suspicions. The company settled the Risperdal lawsuit in November 2013 with a $2.2 billion fine.

However, this Risperdal settlement does not resolve the 400 Risperdal lawsuits that still exist against the company, with experts expecting the number to grow.