Risperdal side effects could induce emotionally devastating complications in young male patients due to unexpected male breast growth and extreme weight gain. Researchers believe these Risperdal side effects stem from the drug’s treatment mechanism, which directly interacts with the body’s pituitary gland.

As a major component of the endocrine system, the pituitary gland plays a significant role in a young child’s development and may be vulnerable to unexpected drug interactions. When Risperdal is ingested, the drug may increase the pituitary gland’s production of prolactin, which is the hormone primarily responsible for breast development in young girls.

While prolactin is naturally produced in small amounts in young boys, Risperdal’s treatment mechanism may spur a significant increase in production. This can cause severe hormonal imbalance and can result in male breast growth.

Young patients who have reported this Risperdal side effect were prescribed the antipsychotic to treat their mental conditions and were reportedly unaware of the potential side effects. According to injury reports and product liability claims, Risperdal side effects often reported include but are not limited to:

• Male Breast Growth (Gynecomastia)
• Nipple Pain
• Nipple Discharge
• Breast Pain
• Significant Weight Gain
• Type-2 Diabetes
• Movement Disorders

There have been studies indicating Risperdal significantly increases prolactin production, with the most recent inquiry published in 2014 by the researchers of the University of British Columbia. The study had found that male patients who were prescribed Risperdal or Invega, a drug similar to Risperdal, had a 69% increased risk of developing male breast growth compared to other patients.

Overview of Risperdal Side Effects

Risperdal (risperidone) was originally approved by the FDA in 1993 to be a treatment for adult patients with mental disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

This medication works by managing the levels of dopamine in the brain, insuring that it works well with serotonin. Dopamine is the brain chemical linked to pleasure and reward sensations.

Risperdal is manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals, earning the company billions in sales. Some of the drug’s popularity stems from off-label uses. While it is not illegal for doctors to prescribe medications for off label purposes, it is illegal for pharmaceutical companies to market them for those reasons. Physicians often prescribing Risperdal to younger patients soon after its release.

It is important to note that Risperdal did not earn official approval for pediatric treatment from the FDA until 2006. Nevertheless, according to the plaintiff in some Risperal lawsuits, Johnson & Johnson allegedly marketed the drug for use in younger patients in the 1990s.

When Johnson & Johnson began allegedly marketing the drug for pediatric purposes, it was not entirely known what the potential Risperdal side effects could be in children. Since then, there have been numerous product liability claims filed against Johnson & Johnson, alleging young male patients had developed unexpected gynecomastia.

There are currently over a thousand Risperdal lawsuits pending against Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, alleging the companies failed to warn them against potential Risperdal side effects.

In March 2015, a Philadelphia jury ordered the pharmaceutical giants to pay $2.5 million damages to a young man. The man had been prescribed Risperdal at age eight for autism treatment, at which time the drug’s label had allegedly understated the risk for gynecomastia.