Risperdal is a prescription medication used to treat autism, schizophrenia, and the mixed and manic states of bipolar disorder.

Males who take this drug have reportedly suffered serious Risperdal side effects including gynecomastia (development of breast tissue in males) that requires costly and painful gynecomastia treatment.

Risperdal Gynecomastia

Since at least 1999, Risperdal side effects have been linked to permanent, abnormal breast development in males, or gynecomastia.

Risperdal stimulates the pituitary gland, which causes increased levels of prolactin (a hormone common in pregnant and nursing women) and often leads to growth of the breast tissue.

Research has emerged to support these claims. A study conducted and published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology in 2006 stated that “Risperdal administered to adolescents at doses commonly used for the treatment of psychotic symptoms can strongly increase prolactin levels, with clinical consequences such as Gynecomastia.”

The study also denoted that because the long-term side effects of Risperdal are not well-documented with distinct regard to growth and a delay in puberty, the “drug should be prescribed with caution to children and adolescents.”

While particularly alarming and developmentally disturbing amongst young boys, causing psychological trauma, gynecomastia can also affect adults as well.

Gynecomastia Treatment

Among the possible side effects of Risperdal and other drugs in its class is gynecomastia, the swelling of breast tissue in males. Gynecomastia can occur in one or both breasts, and gynecomastia treatment may require surgery to remove the excess tissue.

Countless doctors have reportedly recommended that adolescent boys who suffer from the condition undergo surgery for gynecomastia treatment. Benign cases can be resolved with liposuction, while more severe cases will require a mastectomy.

Other Harmful Side Effects of Risperdal

Risperdal has also been linked to a number of serious side effects, including:

• Galactorrhea (production and lactation of milk)
• Extrapyramidal effects (sudden, involuntary motions of the head, neck, arms, body or eyes)
• Orthostatic Hypotension (drop in blood pressure causing dizziness and/or loss of consciousness)
• Hyperglycemia (diabetes, high blood sugar)
• Stroke
• Heart Attack
• Pituitary Tumors

Risperdal Litigation

The first gynecomastia lawsuit was filed against Janssen in 2012 by a 21-year old male who took Risperdal for five years, starting at age nine—long before the drug was approved for use in juveniles in 2006.

In February 2015, the first Risperdal lawsuit to go to trial concluded with a $2.5 million verdict in favor of the plaintiff, who developed breasts after taking Risperdal at age seven in 2002 to treat autism.

Now, Janssen and Johnson & Johnson face numerous other lawsuits accusing the drug companies of hiding evidence related to Risperdal’s propensity to cause gynecomastia.

The cost of gynecomastia treatment and related surgical procedures, as well as pain and suffering endured by boys and men who have been diagnosed with Risperdal gynecomastia may be available through Risperdal lawsuits now being heard in a mass tort litigation against Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

If you have suffered from Risperdal side effects or have had to undergo gynecomastia treatment as a result of Risperdal use, you are urged to contact an experienced Risperdal attorney for a free, confidential case evaluation.