New research reveals that second-generation antipsychotic risperidone, like Risperdal, may increase gynecomastia or “man boobs” in older men.

According to the research presented at the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP), a review of national health claims data showed that older men who used risperidone or paliperidone, an active metabolite of risperidone, had a 69 percent higher risk of developing gynecomastia.

“This is the first and largest epidemiologic study on this question using data from one million men in the United States,” said Mahyer Etminan, lead author of the research at PharmD, a drug safety researcher in the Therapeutic Evaluation Unit at Provincial Health Services Authority of British Columbia and an assistant professor at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

According to the research, the rate ratio for gynecomastia was significant at 1.69 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.05 – 2.72) for current and recent users of risperidone and at 1.69 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.10 – 2.59) for users of paliperidone when compared with those who did not use any of the medication.

Dr. Etminan said that his results may not be significant statistically but the trend was definitely present. In the same manner, he cautioned that younger boys may also be at risk of Risperdal gynecomastia.

Concerns with Risperdal

Risperdal (Risperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic that was originally intended to treat schizophrenia.  It was eventually approved by the FDA to treat bipolar disorder and symptoms of irritability in children with autism. Despite its many uses, Risperdal has been associated with significant side effects, including gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is a condition that causes male breast growth.

A Risperdal class action lawsuit investigation has been launched into the allegations that Risperdal can cause men to grow breasts or experience other uncomfortable side effects. The U.S. government has investigated Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals about their allegedly improper marketing practices. People who have been affected by Risperdal side effects are stepping up to file gynecomastia lawsuits against the manufacturers, seeking compensation for their injuries.