Numerous patients across the country are reporting gynecomastia caused by Risperdal which can allegedly develop soon after starting the medication.

Risperdal is a popular antipsychotic medication prescribed to treat mental disorders like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, as well as certain forms of autism. Risperdal works by balancing the serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain, which is supposed to produce positive mood and a balanced mental state.

The reports alleging gynecomastia caused by Risperdal primarily pertain to young boys who are in earlier stages of development. Gynecomastia caused by Risperdal (risperidone) due to the drug’s treatment mechanism may cause hormone imbalance and the growth of male breasts.

Gynecomastia is abnormal male breast growth that is caused by a hormone imbalance, in which prolactin levels are significantly increased. Prolactin is the hormone responsible for breast development in young girls, and is naturally produced in small amounts in boys.

Overview of Risperdal Gynecomastia Correlation

Risperdal’s treatment mechanism may cause significant prolactin production, which significantly increases the chances of gynecomastia. Young boys are considered one of the highest risk, since they are going through puberty and are in constant hormone fluctuation.

Along with the numerous injury reports, there have been several studies that have shown gynecomastia caused by Risperdal may be possible. According to a 2014 study conducted at the University of British Columbia, male subjects reportedly faced increased risk of gynecomastia caused by Risperdal and Invega.

Invega is a metabolite of Risperdal, the core ingredient that remains after the drug is metabolized, and works the same way Risperdal does. The patients faced a 69% increased risk of gynecomastia caused by Risperdal and Invega, compared to the control group.

In an earlier study published in the 2006 issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, researchers found that Risperdal significantly increased the level of prolactin and warned against potential gynecomastia.

“Risperidone administered to adolescents at doses commonly used for the treatment of psychotic symptoms can strongly increase prolactin levels, with clinical consequences such as gynecomastia and/or galactorrhea. Given that the long-term effects of antipsychotic drug-induced hyperprolactinemia are not well documented, especially regarding osteopenia, infertility, growth, and pubertal delay, risperidone should be administered with caution to children and adolescents,” the researchers said.

It is important to note that Risperdal was not officially approved to treat children until 2006, with the drug originally approved in 1993 to treat adult psychiatric patients. While this drug is now approved to treat children with certain forms of autism, it was not initially approved to do so because the side effects on children was unknown.

Even though the drug did not get approval for pediatric treatment until 2006, Johnson & Johnson allegedly marketed the drug for this purpose since its approval in the 1990s. While it is not illegal for doctors to prescribed drugs for off label purpose, it is illegal for companies to advertise them for these uses.

Johnson & Johnson is facing major legal repercussions for allegedly failing to warn the public against gynecomastia caused by Risperdal. Patients who allegedly developed gynecomastia from Risperdal may be able to file legal action against the manufacturer for failure to warn.