Invega, generically known as paliperidone, is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and adolescents. It is also prescribed for the treatment of schizoaffective disorder in adults.

The drug is a close descendant of Risperdal (risperidone), an antipsychotic medicine used to treat bipolar disorder, symptoms of irritability in autistic children who are 5-16 years old, and schizophrenia.

Unfortunately, Invega gynecomastia, or the development of breast growth in male patients, is a possible side effect for boys and young men who have taken Invega.

Invega Overview

Invega belongs to a class of medications termed atypical antipsychotics and can be prescribed to help assist an individual’s ability to take part in everyday life. The class of drugs essentially help treat psychosis, the occurrence of severely distorted thoughts.

A person with psychosis can lose touch with reality and symptoms of this condition include delusions, hallucinations, and paranoid thoughts. Common atypical antipsychotics other than Invega are: Abilify, Clozaril, Geodon, Risperdal, Seroquel, Symbyax, and Zyprexa.

Invega was first approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration on Dec. 19, 2006. The side effects of Invega at the time were unknown. Scientific research suggests that Invega may cause the development of hyperprolactinemia or gynecomastia in young boys.

Invega Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is commonly known as “man boobs.” It can develop when a drug like Invega alters dopamine activity in a way that affects the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland releases hormones including prolactin, also known as luteotropin or luteotropic hormone. This hormone is responsible for stimulating breast growth and milk production.

Patients who are prescribed atypical antipsychotic medication such as Invega and Risperdal may therefore be at risk for developing enlarged breast tissue or hyperprolactinemia, the condition of elevated prolactin serum.

Invega, like Janssen’s other antipsychotic medication Risperdal, is believed to be responsible for increased prolactin levels in patients, thus causing Invega gynecomastia.

Invega Gynecomastia Studies

There have been at least two studies linking an Invega gynecomastia correlation. One research study was presented at the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) Annual Meeting in 2014. The research concluded that the men who used Invega or Risperdal had a 69 percent risk of developing gynecomastia than patients who were nonusers, according to Medscape.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that patients who have been given a 12 mg. dose of Invega developed gynecomastia. This included a 16-year-old boy who only after two months of beginning treatment developed symptoms of increased breast growth.

Risperdal is a close relative of Invega. It has also been found to increase the risk of developing gynecomastia in patients treated with the antipsychotic medication.

According to a 2006 study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, researchers warned, “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.”

The study continued to say that, “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.”