Risperdal is a common anti-psychotic medication, but according to a growing number of boys, young men and their families, it also comes with an embarrassing side effect: gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia is the development of male breast tissue, which can only be addressed with cosmetic surgery. The latest allegation of Risperdal gynecomastia comes out of Louisiana. A woman there claims that her son developed enlarged breasts from Risperdal after taking the drug orally as well as using the injectable option “Risperdal Consta.”

Her case joins over 1,100 similar Risperdal lawsuits accusing the drug maker of failing to warn consumers and the medical community that Risperdal side effects can cause male breast growth and gynecomastia symptoms such as nipple discharge and painful breasts. It is estimated that there are many more Risperdal gynecomastia victims out there, but the boys and young men may not be aware that the drug has caused their embarrassing condition. In other instances, they may be too embarrassed to pursue legal action.

Risperdal side effects also include weight gain, and in the early stages of gynecomastia it can be easy to mistake genuine male breast growth with fat that mimics gynecomastia. However, the average “cup size” of a gynecomastia patient is a C-cup regardless of body fat. Risperdal lawsuits continue to roll in, often being folded into the Risperdal multidistrict litigation (MDL) when the plaintiffs prefer.

The Louisiana mother filed her Risperdal lawsuit on Dec. 17, 2014, on behalf of her minor child and herself. The mother says that her son was treated with a number of anti-psychotic medications from 2001 through 2008, and during that time span he developed breasts that lactated. She’s seeking compensation for emotional and physical damages.

Risperdal Gynecomastia Lawsuits

At the moment, there are over 1,100 Risperdal lawsuits pending in the Risperdal MDL and it’s expected that many (perhaps even thousands) more will join before the bellwether trials begin.

While gynecomastia symptoms aren’t physically dangerous, they can lead to extreme trauma, bullying, and self-esteem issues. Particularly since the drug is prescribed to boys as young as eight, and as an anti-psychotic medication these boys are already facing unique challenges, the development of breasts can trigger severe trauma during their developing years.

Young men who survived a childhood and teen years with Risperdal side effects like gynecomastia have detailed their experience to a number of media outlets including “Salon.” Their hope is to bring information and education to others who may be suffering from similar experiences.

In many cases, victims of gynecomastia report intense bullying, sometimes resulting in their refusal to go to school. “Fixing” male breasts requires cosmetic surgery that may not be covered by insurance policies. There are some cases where young men risked surgery abroad since it was the only way they could afford the procedure.

One of the requests in Risperdal lawsuits may include compensation to undergo gynecomastia surgery, as well as compensation for pain, suffering, medication, treatment, and of course the risk that naturally comes with any surgery.

Risperdal Settlements

The pending Risperdal class action lawsuit has been consolidated in Pennsylvania in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. To qualify, the Plaintiffs must suffer from “serious” Risperdal complications, which may include gynecomastia.

The actual cause of gynecomastia occurs when the body creates too much prolactin, a female breast growth/lactation hormone. Already, the makers of the drug (Johnson & Johnson) have paid $2.2 billion in order to settle civil and criminal charges made by the US Department of Justice (DOJ).

This lawsuit settlement centered on illicit marketing of a number of medications, which included Risperdal. The US Department of Justice claimed that the company practiced “improper promotion” of anti-psychotic medications, encouraging them to be prescribed for off-label use in children. This was done by giving doctors “kickbacks” every time they prescribed Risperdal. It was the biggest healthcare fraud in American history according to the DOJ.