Patients who have taken Invega are now asking “Does Invega cause gynecomastia?”

Lawsuits against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer and marketer of Invega, allege that the company failed to warn consumers about serious Invega side effects associated with taking the medication, like gynecomastia or “man boobs”.

Invega is an antipsychotic medication that is often prescribed by medical professionals to treat schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Invega, generically known as paliperidone, is also marketed under the name Risperdone and Risperdal.

Invega can be prescribed to both adults and adolescents who are over 12 years old.

The antipsychotic medication works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain. When taken, Invega affects various neurotransmitters in the brain, primarily dopamine and serotonin.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, or a chemical released by nerve cells, that helps send signals to other nerve cells. Serotonin is also a neurotransmitter that is thought to affect mood and social behavior.

Invega Side Effects

Taking Invega can result in several serious side effects. Some of these alleged Invega side effects may include male breast growth, painful breasts, nipple pain, or nipple discharge.

Male breast growth is often referred to by medical professionals and scientists as gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is much more likely to develop in young adolescent males taking Invega. This is an embarrassing condition that can cause significant metal stress and trauma to young growing boys.

Invega was released on the market and approved by the US FDA in 2006.  At that time, little was known about the potential Invega side effects that the medication could have on children.

How Can Invega Cause Gynecomastia?

Medical researchers believe that Invega increases the amount of prolactin in the body.  Prolactin is a hormone that stimulates breast growth in women.

Because of the increased prolactin levels, some medical researchers believe taking Invega is linked to young males developing gynecomastia.

One study performed by the University of British Columbia found that young males who took Invega had a 69% increased risk of developing gynecomastia.  These findings were supported by a 2006 study that was published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology.

Gynecomastia Treatment

Males who develop gynecomastia may see a reversal in symptoms once they discontinue taking the medication.  Others may have to undergo breast reduction surgery.

Patients should not discontinue any medications without first consulting a medical professional.

Invega Side Effects Lawsuits

Individuals and parents of young boys who took Invega and developed gynecomastia may be able to join a free lawsuit investigation.

A lawsuit against Janssen Pharmaceuticals would likely allege the company violated consumer protection laws by failing to warn consumers about Invega’s serious side effects.

Several Invega lawsuits have been settled or awarded monetary damages.

In 2015, Janssen was ordered to pay $2.5 million to a plaintiff who had taken paliperidone for five years since the age of eight.

Lawsuits like this one, filed against large pharmaceutical companies for violations of consumer protection laws, help to hold these businesses accountable for their actions and how they treat consumers.