Risperdal is often prescribed to treat numerous physiological conditions but according to recent drug lawsuits, the mood stabilizing medication causes an emotionally distressing side effect known as gynecomastia (man boobs).

More than 1,300 Risperdal lawsuits have been filed by plaintiffs claiming the anti-psychotic drug caused young men to develop male breast growth.

Some Risperdal users have reported that the medication lead to the development of breasts as large as 46DD cup size, however the average claim is about a “C” cup.

Risperdal manufacturers Johnson & Johnson along with their subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals have been accused of failing to warn young men that Risperdal side effects include the possibility of developing man boobs as a side effect.

Risperdal Side Effects & Complications

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Risperdal to treat physiological conditions including bipolar disorder, autism, mania and schizophrenia.

Since its release, physicians have also prescribed the medication off-label for ADHD, ADD, depression, anxiety, and sleeping disorders. In 2006, the FDA approved Risperdal to be used on pediatric patients but at that time the possible side effects were unknown.

Recent studies have discovered that Risperdal may increase prolactin levels, which is the hormone that stimulates breast growth in women. Researchers have found that young men ages 10 to 18 are especially susceptible to developing male breasts as a side effect of the medication.

Risperdal complications include weight gain so occasionally male consumers mistake man boobs for just excess build up of fat. However, users who have filed Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits claim that the male breasts do not go away after discontinuing the medication and some men have alleged they had to undergo breast removal surgery.

Other commonly reported Risperdal side effects include:

• Nipple pain
• Nipple discharge
• Breast pain
• Milk production

In general, plaintiffs filing lawsuits claim that while Risperdal breast tissue growth may not be physically damaging it is emotionally traumatic on a young man to develop breasts during puberty years.

Risperdal Lawsuits

While Johnson & Johnson has continued to stand by their medication claiming that breast growth is a normal part of puberty even for boys, Risperdal attorneys refute that argument stating that producing milk is not normal for young men and it is a direct side effect of taking the medication.

Risperdal lawsuits generally allege that the manufacturers knew of the risk of developing gynecomastia as a side effect but intentionally omitted it from the drug’s warning label in order to boost sales.

Risperdal manufacturers have fallen under federal scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice for civil and criminal charges of improperly promoting the medication by providing doctors “kickbacks” every time they prescribed Risperdal. Johnson & Johnson had to pay $2.2 billion in order to settle the charges.

A recent Risperdal lawsuit awarded a young man $2.5 million after a Philadelphia jury found Johnson & Johnson along with Janssen Pharmaceuticals did not adequately warn of the risk of male breast growth as the drug label warned that the risk of gynecomastia was “low.”

If you developed man boobs after taking Risperdal, contact an attorney to find out if you have legal claim.