Invega, a popular antipsychotic medication, has unfortunately been linked with serious Invega adverse side effects–one of which is gynecomastia, which causes breast growth in boys and young men.

Background of Invega

The antipsychotic drug Invega (also sold under its generic name, paliperidone) is a widely used treatment for schizophrenia in both adolescents and adults. Invega is a similar medication to Risperdal (risperidone).

While these drugs are both FDA-approved to treat schizophrenia, they are often prescribed “off-label” for the treatment of other problems like ADHD, anxiety, insomnia, and depression.

Invega is manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a prominent subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. Invega was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) back in 2006, and has since become increasingly popular as an antipsychotic option. Invega works to treat schizophrenia by restoring the balance of certain natural substances in the brain.

While Invega is undoubtedly popular, it has unfortunately been linked with serious Invega adverse side effects. The most notable of these Invega adverse side effects is a condition known as gynecomastia, or the development of male breasts in boys and young men.

According to a growing number of lawsuits over Risperdal, Janssen had a responsibility to warn patients, their families, and the medical community that about the risk of gynecomastia but failed to give an adequate warning.

Invega Adverse Side Effects: Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is one of the most notorious of Invega adverse side effects. While both boys and young men can be affected by gynecomastia, this condition more often affects adolescents than adults.

Breast growth from gynecomastia is due to excess breast tissue, not excess fat. This alteration is usually attributed to a hormone imbalance in the body, primarily increased levels of prolactin. As Invega works, it also increases the amount of prolactin in a person’s body, studies indicate. Hyperprolactinemia, or heightened levels of prolactin, has been linked with gynecomastia.

A recent study from the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority found that Invega is more likely than other antipsychotic medications to bring on hyperprolactinemia.

Indeed, researchers found that over 90 percent of patients taking Invega develop elevated levels of prolactin, which in turn makes these patients increasingly likely to develop gynecomastia.

Hundreds of boys and young men who have taken Invega have since developed gynecomastia breast tissue. The physical effects of gynecomastia can vary from person to person. Indeed, some boys affected by Invega adverse side effects may undergo breast growth that is barely noticeable, if at all. Others, however, may end up with a great deal of excess breast tissue, in some cases resulting in size C-cup breasts or larger.

For some patients, treatment for Invega adverse side effects can be as simple as stopping their intake of the medication. However, other boys were forced to undergo surgery for breast tissue removal.

Hundreds of families have already filed lawsuits against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, alleging that patients have been affected by the serious adverse side effects of these new antipsychotics. These lawsuits claim that Janssen failed to adequately warn the public and the medical community about the risk of gynecomastia linked with their antipsychotic medication.

If you or someone you love has experienced Invega adverse side effects such as gynecomastia, you may be able to file an Invega lawsuit.