A review of male breast growth in more than one million men has led a University of British Columbia researcher to conclude that Risperdal man boob side effects, known scientifically as gynecomastia, are not statistical anomalies.

While the drug safety packet from Janssen Pharmaceuticals now contains information regarding the condition, likely a result of prolactin development, much of the previous research on this potential Risperdal side effect was performed using small samples or clinical reports from a small number of physicians. As a result, questions remained about both the rate and the statistical validity of previous investigations.

Dr. Mahyar Etminan instead focused on one million patients using a health claims database in the United States. He identified about 8,000 people who were diagnosed with gynecomastia and a control group about 10 times that size. After looking to control for other variables, he noted that the rate for male breast enlargement was about 69 percent higher in Risperdal users, although the doctor still wants even larger studies, if possible, to strengthen the information regarding Risperdal side effects on male breast growth. These complications have led to dozens of Risperdal lawsuits and a Risperdal class action lawsuit.

One other issue with the study, he noted, was that it focused on older men. It was unmentioned in the discussion at the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry on March 15, but the reason may have been the relatively high rate of use of atypical antipsychotics in elder populations. However, he noted, and Risperdal lawyers agree, that the drug is also commonly used in adolescent males for bipolar disorder and other conditions.

It may have even more of an impact in the younger age ranges because it interacts with a dopamine receptor that also has an influence on adolescent development for young men. The hormone prolactin, which would otherwise be restricted by male hormones, increases breast tissue development. Unfortunately for these teenagers, there is no treatment for the condition outside of costly elective surgery that is not usually covered by most health insurance plans.