Risperdal, also known as risperidone, has been claimed to cause increased breast growth in males, according to lawsuits that have recently been filed by young boys and grown men being affected with the antipsychotic drug.

If you or your son had begun taking Risperdal but began to suffer from the following adverse effects and complications, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for these injuries. Some of the complications include the development of male breast growth, also called gynecomastia; painful breasts; nipple pain; and nipple discharge.

Breast Growth in Males and Risperdal Side Effects Facts

Treatment with Risperdal, also known as Risperidone, was approved for use in children in 2006 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It was approved for treatment of conditions such as bipolar disorder and autism.

However, at the time of its approval, side effects of the drug, such as breast growth in males, were not well known. As a result, several lawsuits alleging breast growth in males have been filed against the drug’s manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which is a Johnson & Johnson company.

The breast growth in males that this antipsychotic drug allegedly causes is clinically known as gynecomastia and commonly known as “man boobs.” It is the growth of actual breast tissue, not from weight gain.

It may be looked upon as an embarrassing condition affecting men that have become diagnosed with the condition. It is also deemed painful and may require corrective surgery to ameliorate.

How is Breast Growth in Males Increased with Risperdal?

Although the exact cause of the increased breast growth in males is not completely known, Risperdal is believed to increase the levels of a hormone known as prolactin. This prolactin hormone stimulates the development of breasts in women, and so an increase in this hormone can cause increased breast growth in males. Some of these males, as a result, will experience nipple pain, painful breasts, and nipple discharge, also known as lactation.

A clinical study conducted and published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology reported a link between increased levels of prolactin and increased breast growth in males.

The study states, “Risperidone administered to adolescents at doses commonly used for the treatment of psychotic symptoms can strongly increase prolactin levels, with clinical consequences such as gynecomastia and/or galactorrhea. Given that the long-term effects of antipsychotic drug-induced hyperprolactinemia are not well documented, especially regarding osteopenia, infertility, growth, and pubertal delay, risperidone should be administered with caution to children and adolscents.”

Risperdal Lawsuits

Lawsuits alleging increased breast growth in males filed by victims of Risperdal have the ability to deliver compensation to those who have been affected. Such compensation may help pay for an medical expenses, psychological trauma, pain, suffering, and other adverse side effects.

Johnson & Johnson has faced numerous lawsuits ending in substantial awards for the plaintiffs. One such lawsuit was filed by a man from Alabama alleging that due to his taking Risperdal for his treatment of autism as a child, his breasts grew to an astounding size of 46DD.