The Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative recently published an article warning that Risperdal (Risperidone) carries risks when used to treat autism, including causing boys to develop breasts.

The Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) was founded in 2005 by the Simons Foundation to focus on various aspects of autism research. This includes distributing information about autism and funding research.

The Risperdal article published in April focuses on the embattled drug’s use in treating autism. Risperdal was originally designed to treat schizophrenia. However, like other psychiatric drugs, it has been shown that the drug can be effective treating other conditions. Specifically, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Risperdal to treat bipolar disorder, as well as irritability and aggression caused by autism. Previously, the Simons Foundation has put out information on treatments and articles debunking the link between autism and vaccines.

Risperdal “effectively treats the explosive and aggressive behaviors that can accompany autism,” the article says. The article goes on to quote Dr. Lawrence Scahill, who explains that the drug has “pretty big effects on tantrums, aggression, and self-injury.” It also states that the drugs can take effect quickly, sometimes in a manner of weeks. Preliminary research suggests that it might even relieve repetitive behaviors and hyperactivity.

However, despite these potentially game-changing benefits, the drug has been linked to serious possible side effects. The article points out that a six-week standard dose of the drug increases insulin levels and insulin resistance — serious risk factors for type-2 diabetes. Among the issues discussed are links between the drug and increased prolactin levels. Prolactin is a hormone associated with pregnancy. It can cause gynecomastia, the development of breasts in males. This side effect has been the subject of Risperdal lawsuits, alleging that the manufacturer of the drug has not done enough to protect patients from this risk.

The litigation over the risk of gynecomastia may take the form of a type of group lawsuit called a multidistrict litigation or MDL. MDLs are similar to class action lawsuits, in that a group of people allege that they have suffered similar harms at the hands of the same defendants. The main difference is that class action lawsuits start out as group lawsuits, while MDLs start out as individual lawsuits which are later consolidated into a single case. Several Risperdal-gynecomastia lawsuits have been settled for millions of dollars. The Risperdal lawsuits that are working their way toward trial may be combined into an MDL in a court in Philadelphia.

The proposed gynecomastia MDL is In re: Risperdal Litigation, Case No. 100300296, in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.