Risperdal is an antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and irritability related to autism spectrum disorders. It was first approved for the U.S. market by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1993.

While Risperdal appears on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, Risperdal has allegedly been linked to male breast enlargement.

Male breast enlargement secondary to Risperdal treatment can be a socially isolating and humiliating condition, particularly if the treated patient is in early adolescence. The mechanism of action with this uncomfortable side effect is believed to be related to the hormone prolactin, created by the pituitary gland located near the base of the brain.

Male breast enlargement happens when prolactin levels increase, the result of Risperdal’s blocking of the neurotransmitter dopamine. When Risperdal tempers the effect of dopamine, prolactin levels can grow and mimic the hormonal conditions present in women prior to breast development and milk production.

Male breast enlargement is known medically as gynecomastia, and abnormal lactation because of this condition is known as galactorrhea.

While there are multiple other side effects associated with Risperdal use such as high blood sugar levels, increased body weight, and problems with physical movement, male breast enlargement has come into public awareness as Johnson & Johnson has faced hundreds of gynecomastia lawsuits.

These gynecomastia lawsuits allege that the manufacturer knew of the propensity of the drug to do this and deliberately attempted to conceal this fact while marketing the medication.

One plaintiff won a substantial damage award in March 2015 when Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Johnson and Johnson had to pay $2.5 million to a young autistic male that had ingested the drug for five years beginning at age eight.

The Differences Among Risperdal Gynecomastia Sufferers

Male breast enlargement among Risperdal users can look very different depending upon the patient. Some patients may just develop a lump under one nipple or both, but without further problems.

Other patients may develop a very large breast on one side only or even experience discharge from that nipple. A patient may just appear to have chest protrusion due to being an overweight male, when in fact, they may be overweight and have gynecomastia.

In extreme cases, male breast enlargement has increased to extraordinary proportions, with sufferers developing breasts rivaling women with 46DD bra sizes.

Sufferers with all these experiences have claimed in and out of court that they were traumatized because of their inappropriately developing breasts. If you or a loved one has incurred psychological trauma because of treatment with Risperdal or Invega, you may qualify to participate in a Risperdal lawsuit investigation.