Risperdal, a prescription drug also known generically as risperidone, is used to treat several psychiatric conditions, including disorders such as irritability with autistic disorder, bipolar I disorder, and schizophrenia. It is in a class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics. It’s available as an oral tablet, an oral solution, and a dissolving tablet.

It is believed that those who suffer from psychotic disorders such as bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, have an imbalance of these neurotransmitters. Risperdal is taken to help treat and mediate that chemical imbalance.

Risperdal works by affecting the action of neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers that transmit signals from one neuron to another through a chemical synapse, located in the brain. However, the same chemical action that helps control psychiatric symptoms has also been blamed for adverse side effects of Risperdal.

Watching for Adverse Side Effects of Risperdal

There are several possible adverse side effects of Risperdal. Some of the more common side effects include uncontrollable muscle contractions, tremors, restlessness, and trouble moving. Other common side effects also include weight gain, dry mouth, blurred vision, drooling, increased appetite, dizziness, anxiety, fatigue, and sleepiness.

Less common but more serious adverse side effects of Risperdal can include causing an increased risk of seizures and uncontrollable movements in the face or tongue. Some patients report thoughts of self-harm and suicide.

Risperdal Gynecomastia

One of the most notorious adverse side effects of Risperdal may be gynecomastia, or male breast growth.

Scientists believe that the effect Risperdal has on a patient’s neurotransmitters may trigger a hormonal reaction that can cause male patients to develop breasts. By inhibiting the activity of dopamine, Risperdal may cause the pituitary gland to produce more of a hormone called prolactin.

Prolactin stimulates the development of breast tissue and production of breastmilk. It is present in some amounts in both males and females. In pregnant and nursing women, prolactin levels increase naturally, leading to growth of breast tissue.

In a male body, artificially-increased prolactin levels can have the same effect. Male patients who have developed Risperdal gynecomastia have reportedly grown breasts as large as any woman’s.

While gynecomastia isn’t considered a serious physical threat, it can be particularly traumatic for young men and boys. Many Risperdal patients are boys or adolescents who may already have enough of an emotional burden resulting from the condition for which they’re taking Risperdal. Developing gynecomastia can compound their problems by making them a target for teasing and bullying from their peers.

In addition to the psychological fallout, the most stubborn cases of Risperdal may require surgical intervention. Typically, gynecomastia resolves once whatever is causing it is removed. However, some cases may not resolve on their own. These patients may need to undergo breast reduction surgery, exposing themselves to the risks of pain, infection and other complications that come with any kind of surgery.

Litigation over Risperdal Gynecomastia

Many young patients and their families have taken to the courts to seek compensation for their Risperdal gynecomastia. In products liability lawsuits filed against the drug’s manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals, these patients allege Janssen failed to properly warn them about the risks associated with this drug. With a proper warning, they say they could have avoided developing gynecomastia by not taking Risperdal in the first place.