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Risperdal-and-gynecomastiaRisperidone side effects have been a significant concern for the patient population and medical community for the past several years, due to numerous allegations that it causes gynecomastia.

Also known as male breast growth, gynecomastia has become widely associated with risperidone side effects after numerous young male patients reported developing the condition soon after starting their prescription. There are a number of different risperidone side effects patients should be wary of including:

  • Gynecomastia
  • Galactorrhea (sudden lactation in young girls)
  • Type-2 Diabetes
  • Significant Weight Gain
  • Movement Disorders

Other than the last entry on the list, these particular risperidone side effects can be linked to weight gain. This could change the blood sugar levels in patients, which could potentially result in type-2 diabetes.

However, gynecomastia has been a frequent topic of discussion in conjunction with risperidone side effects, with numerous young male patients alleging the manufacturer knew of the potential complication but neglected to offer an adequate warning.

Overview of Risperidone Complications

Risperidone (brand name Risperdal) is an antipyschotic medication often prescribed to adult and pediatric patients with extreme mental disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and certain forms of autism. This medication works by leveling the dopamine levels in the brain, to produce ideal mood balance.

While this medication has been helpful to numerous patients, this treatment mechanism has been allegedly spurring adverse risperidone side effects. Gynecomastia is one of these complications, which is caused by a severe hormonal imbalance of prolactin production.

Prolactin is the hormone primarily responsible for breast development in young girls, and is naturally produced in small amounts in young boys. However, the risperidone side effects may trigger an overproduction of prolactin, which may result in gynecomastia for young males and galactorrhea in young females.

Reports of Risperdal gynecomastia indicated breast growth as big as D-cups, including nipple pain and discharge. Boys who developed this condition often suffered from the social stigma of having male breast growth and needed to undergo psychological counseling.

Overall, patients who developed these conditions almost always had to undergo revision surgery to remove the excess tissue. Johnson & Johnson and subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals are currently facing intense legal action for allegedly downplaying the risks of risperidone side effects, and for illegally marketing the medication for pediatric use before being approved to do so.

Risperdal was initially approved in 1993 for adult patients, but was later approved for pediatric use in 2006. However, the pharmaceutical companies allegedly marketed Risperidone for pediatric use before gaining FDA approval, which violates drug safety laws.

Johnson & Johnson was allegedly one company began marketing risperidone for that reason, after noticing the high number of off-label prescriptions from doctors. While it is not illegal for doctors to prescribe medications for off label purposes, it is illegal for pharmaceutical companies to sell them for those purposes.

Numerous patients who suffered unexpected risperidone side effects have filed legal action against the company, with Johnson & Johnson having already paid billions in fines and settlements. Approximately 1,300 Risperdal lawsuits are currently pending against Johnson & Johnson, alleging numerous counts of negligence and failure to warn.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The Risperdal attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or Risperdal class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, Risperdal lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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Join a Free Invega or Risperdal Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you or your son took Invega or Risperdal between the ages of 10 and 18 years old and suffered gynecomastia (male breast growth), male breast pain, nipple pain, or nipple discharge, you may be entitled to compensation. See if you qualify by submitting your information below for a free and confidential case review.

An attorney will contact you if you qualify to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you.

Please Note: If you want to participate in this investigation, it is imperative that you reply to the law firm if they call or email you. Failing to do so may result in you not getting signed up as a client, if you qualify, or getting you dropped as a client.

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Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.