According to reports, male breast growth caused by Risperdal, a prescribed antipsychotic medication, has been reported in many young patients.

Risperdal belongs to a class of drugs known as atypical antipsychotics and are prescribed to treat medical conditions such schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and particularly irritability caused by autism, as well as other conditions such as depression.

Risperdal works by affecting the number of neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers located in the brain that transmit signals. They work by transmitting signals from one neuron to another through a chemical synapse.

Therefore, reports indicate that by limiting the number of neurotransmitters, and the signals being transmitted, it can help treat the chemical imbalance suffered by those who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

However, several lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, allegedly contending that the manufacturers failed to adequately list the serious adverse effects associated with the drug. Among the concerns noted include side effects in boys that have taken the drug resulting in gynecomastia, or commonly known as “man boobs.”

The male breast growth caused by Risperdal has been alleged to cause severe emotional and physical injuries as a result.

According to the Mayo Clinic, gynecomastia is the “swelling of the breast tissue in boys or men, caused by an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone.” It also may affect either one or both breasts in males, and unevenly.

Symptoms of male breast growth caused by Risperdal include swollen breast gland tissue and breast tenderness. A patient is recommended to immediately see a physician if they have tenderness, pain, swelling, and nipple discharge in one of both breasts.

According to the Mayo Clinic, moreover, gynecomastia is triggered when there is a decrease in the hormone testosterone in comparison to estrogen. They state that “the cause of this decrease can be conditions that block the effects of or reduce testosterone or a condition that increases your estrogen level.”

There are other means, however, in which medications and particularly male breast growth caused by Risperdal may occur. Reports indicate that “medications are known to cause gynecomastia through several different mechanisms. These mechanisms include increasing estrogen levels, mimicking estrogen, decreasing levels of testosterone or other androgens, blocking androgen receptors, increasing prolactin levels, or through unidentified means.”

Male breast growth caused by Risperdal is reported to also occur through the increase in the hormone prolactin. Due to the elevated levels of prolactin, the side effects in males include the production of breast milk. Other side effects included with males having an increase in the prolactin hormone include a decreased sex drive and erectile dysfunction.

The allegations filed against Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., include reports that the company provided misleading and false information pertaining to the alleged risks and adverse effects involved in boys or men taking Risperdal. The alleged reports state that the company also manipulated clinical trials to produce favorable conclusions and downplayed the serious adverse effects of Risperdal.