Risperdal is one of America’s leading antipsychotic medications, but unhappy users have accused the drug of causing a multitude of complications such as male gynecomastia.

Male gynecomastia is the swelling of breast tissue in men that causes breast growth, often due to a severe hormone imbalance.

While there could be a number of factors why this condition affects certain patients, young men taking Risperdal may have an increased likelihood of suffering from the embarrassing disease.

When Risperdal male breasts occur, the growth typically starts as a small lump under the nipple, which becomes larger and causes the area to become tender. The size of the male breast growth varies between individuals, and the size of each breast can even vary within patients.

In more severe cases of male gynecomastia, the breasts could actually lactate and grow as big as a D-cup.

Overview of Risperdal Complications

Risperdal was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993 to treat adult patients with severe mental conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In 2006, the FDA approved Risperdal to treat children for similar purposes and for certain types of autism.

Risperdal gained popularity soon after its initial release in 1993, with physicians prescribing it off-label for younger patients. While it is not illegal for doctors to prescribe a drug for unapproved purposes, it is illegal for companies to market drugs for those purposes.

Manufacturing company Janssen Pharmaceuticals and parent company Johnson & Johnson allegedly marketed this drug to children before it was approved to do so.

Along with allegedly conducting illegal marketing practices, Janssen Pharmaceuticals also reportedly failed to adequately address the Risperdal side effects in men and boys.

Risperdal and Prolactin

Risperdal works by channeling a specific brain chemical called dopamine, which controls the brain’s pleasure and reward sensors. The drug reacts with the body’s pituitary gland, which is where the majority of the body’s hormones are manufactured.

One of those hormones, prolactin, is the hormone produced by young women for breast development. While the hormone is naturally produced in much smaller amounts in boys, when Risperdal interacts with the male body it inadvertently causes the body to manufacture much higher volumes of prolactin, which may result in Risperdal male breasts.

Since adolescents are already going through significant physical development, their hormones are at heightened level to begin with. Men who suffer male gynecomastia often have to undergo surgery to remove the excess tissue.

Risperdal side effects in men have already led to Risperdal lawsuits, and patients who have suffered from Risperdal-induced male breast growth may wish to join the legal action against Janssen Pharmaceuticals.