Schizophrenia medication Risperdal causes gynecomastia in men, and sometimes, “man boobs” even produce a milky discharge.

Johnson & Johnson’s Risperdal is the brand name of generic risperidone, an antipsychotic medicine used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism.

Risperdal belongs to a class of drugs called dopamine antagonists. The drug binds to to the dopamine receptors in the front of the brain where they are responsible for integrating emotions, perceptions and self-control.

Dopamine overactivity is largely blamed for inducing schizophrenia and other symptoms of psychosis that include breaks from reality.

Schizophrenia is a chronic, disabling mental disorder that affects more than two million Americans. People with schizophrenia experience hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, movement disorders and social withdrawal. Other problems can include difficulty with perception, impaired judgment, inattentiveness, impulsiveness or impairment of speech.

Risperdal was approved by the FDA in 1993 as an anti-psychotic medication to treat schizophrenia. Over the years, the drug has been used to control a wider range of mental health issues, leading to a larger population exposed to the Risperdal’s side effects.

How Does Risperdal Cause Gynecomastia?

While Risperdal works by blocking dopamine receptors, it also causes higher elevated levels of prolactin, a hormone made by the pituitary gland. Pregnant women have high levels of prolactin, which helps them produce breast milk.

When prolactin levels reach abnormally high levels in men, the condition is called hyperprolactinemia, which is seen more often in Risperdal patients than in patients taking other antipsychotic drugs.

Hyperprolactinemia results in man boobs, medically known as gynecomastia. When Risperdal causes gynecomastia in men and boys, these breasts might even produce milk. This is caused by the prolactin levels becoming so abnormally high.

The New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority reported that more than 90 percent of patients on Risperdal experience elevated prolactin levels.

Risperdal can cause weight gain, but losing weight will not necessarily decrease the size of the man boobs. When Risperdal causes gynecomastia, the increase in breast size includes not only fatty tissue, but glandular tissue as well. With such a high concentration of dense tissue, only surgery can reduce breast size.

Sometimes when Risperdal causes gynecomastia, boys will have lopsided breasts because one is larger than the other. The drug’s affects can be so pronounced that some males exhibit breast size equivalent to a woman’s “D” bra cup size.

Risperdal and Pituitary Tumors

The medical journal Pharmacotherapy reviewed the FDA’s adverse effects reports and determined that Risperdal allegedly caused 70 percent of all pituitary tumors.

Even though most pituitary tumors are benign, they can cause internal bleeding, headaches, vision issues and convulsions.

It is believed the increased prolactin levels cause the pituitary gland to grow larger, disrupting hormone production that spurs tumor development.

Risperdal Lawsuits

Schizophrenia is challenging enough for a young man to endure without adding the emotional turmoil of breast development.

When Risperdal causes gynecomastia, the boy can become a target of teasing and bullying, not pleasant for anyone, but especially difficult for someone with already limited sociability.

If you or someone you know has taken Risperdal and suffered from gynecomastia as a side effect, you could be eligible for compensation through a class action lawsuit.