A popular antipsychotic called Risperdal has recently been linked with a serious and disconcerting side effect known as gynecomastia, or the development of man boobs.

Risperdal (risperidone) is sold by Johnson & Johnson, and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat various mental and mood disorders. Risperdal has since been used to treat conditions ranging from schizophrenia to bipolar mania to autism.

Risperdal, as well as similar antipsychotics, are intended to help people suffering from these conditions to think more clearly, which would allow them to take a more active part in everyday tasks and life.

Atypical antipsychotic medications, such as Risperdal, work to help patients think more clearly by restoring the balance of various chemicals in the brain.

Risperdal Side Effects

Risperdal, as with any medication, comes with some more common side effects. These Risperdal side effects include involuntary motion, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, nausea, and skin rashes. These minor side effects are not abnormal for these kinds of medications, and label warnings advise patients of these Risperdal side effects before taking the drug.

However, Risperdal has recently been linked with more severe side effects which some users claim they were not adequately warned about prior to taking the drug. These potentially serious Risperdal side effects include diabetes and movement disorders.

Additionally, Risperdal has been linked with the rapid development of male breast tissue, or gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of breast tissue, and is not connected to excess fat.

According to reports, hundreds of boys and young men who took Risperdal have developed male breasts (or “man boobs”) as a side effect of the antipsychotic medication.

Risperdal Gynecomastia Studies

Data provided by the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority showed that over 90 percent of Risperdal patients have increased or elevated levels of prolactin. This makes them more likely to develop hyperprolactinemia, and eventually develop gynecomastia.

While Risperdal gynecomastia most often occurs in both breasts, the condition can affect just one. Even when both breasts are affected by gynecomastia, each can be affected at a different rate and at a different amount. For instance, one breast can grow to be visibly larger than the other.

For a condition that already places a great deal of social stigma on a patient for having man boobs, the possibility that taking Risperdal makes that even worse. For some men who have been affected by Risperdal gynecomastia, may experience lactation or nipple discharge.

In some of these cases, boys had such excessive breast tissue grown that the breasts became “D” cups. For some young men, breast growth from Risperdal became such an issue in their daily lives that they underwent surgery for excess tissue removal.

Risperdal Lawsuits

Hundreds of boys and young men who have suffered from Risperdal side effects have filed gynecomastia lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson. These injured parties claim that that the drug maker failed to adequately warn patients about the potential side effects of the drug.

If you or someone you know was negatively impacted by Risperdal, or you are a male who has developed man boobs due to taking Risperdal, you may be able to file a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit against Johnson and Johnson for failure to adequately warn about the potential Risperdal side effects.