Invega side effects in children can be devastating. Both Risperdal (risperidone) and Invega (palperidone) are potent antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia in adolescents and adults.

Invega has the same physiological effect as Risperdal, but is metabolized differently within the body.

The drugs have also been prescribed “off label” to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, insomnia and depression.

Invega Side Effects in Children

One of the most serious Invega side effects in children is gynecomastia, the physiological term for man boobs.

Invega works by blocking dopamine receptors. A side effect is the person experiences higher levels of prolactin, a hormone made by the pituitary gland. Pregnant women have high levels of prolactin, which helps produce breast milk.

When elevated, normally low levels of prolactin in men can cause gynecomastia. When Invega causes gynecomastia in men and boys, these breasts might even produce a milky white discharge.

Unfortunately, weight loss will not resolve the issue of Invega-induced man boobs. When Invega causes gynecomastia, the increase in breast size includes not only fatty tissue, but glandular tissue as well. With such a high concentration of dense tissue, only surgery can reduce breast size.

Invega side effects in children also include sometimes painful movement disorders such as tardive dyskinesia, which involves involuntary movements of the tongue, lips, face, trunk and extremities. Another movement disorder called dystonia causes the patient to make uncontrollable sounds.

Invega has also been linked to Type 2 diabetes, high blood sugar and rapid heart rate.

Off-label Treatment with Invega

The term off-label refers to medication that is prescribed by a doctor for uses other than those approved by the FDA. No laws prohibit doctors from prescribing a drug for off-label use.

However, drug companies such as Johnson & Johnson have paid millions to the government for improperly marketing drugs such as Risperdal and Invega. Johnson & Johnson is being investigated to see whether it marketed these drugs to children before they gained FDA approval to do so.

This is because Invega and Risperdal are often prescribed off-label to treat children with ADHD, a condition associated with excessive motor activity, inattention and impulsiveness.

Even though little clinical evidence suggests Invega and Risperdal treat ADHD successfully, more than 3.5 million children take the drugs for ADHD conditions.

A Michigan State University study shed light on the fact that nearly 1 million children could be misdiagnosed with ADHD when, in reality, these children are simply the youngest members in their grade at school.

Their attention spans and behaviors were most likely age appropriate, which means they should have been spared Invega side effects in children.

Risperdal and Invega Lawsuits

Thousands of young people have been exposed to the risks of Risperdal and Invega and many have sued Johnson & Johnson and its Janssen Pharmaceuticals division.

In the largest award thus far, a boy received a $70 million Risperdal gynecomastia verdict. He had started taking  the drug in 2003, developed man boobs, and was teased and bullied relentlessly. He filed suit in 2013. The verdict came in earlier this year.

If you or someone you know has taken Invega and suffered serious side effects, you could be eligible for compensation.