Studies are beginning to show a connection between Risperdal (an antipsychotic drug) and gynecomastia, the abnormal growth of breast tissue in boys or men. This undisclosed side effect has led to multiple Risperdal lawsuits by users who say they were never warned of this risk.

Risperdal is approved to treat autism and bipolar disorder in children between the ages of 10 and 18, although older men are using the drug as well. New research has confirmed that men who take Risperdal are 68% more likely to develop gynecomastia than nonusers. Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturer, has been accused of withholding information about the risk of Risperdal gynecomastia in young boys and men.

Gynecomastia is the abnormal growth of breast tissue in males. This could mean anything from increased male breast growth (commonly known as man boobs), pain in the breast and/or nipple, and even nipple discharge (lactation). It can require surgery to correct and can easily cause trauma for the patient. While most Risperdal gynecomastia cases are in young men, a study shows an increase in the older male population as well.

Risperdal Gynecomastia Study

Dr. Mahyar Etminan led a study that was presented at the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry 2014 Annual Meeting. They looked at 1 million men in the United States between the ages of 45 and 80 who made reports concerning possible Risperdal gynecomastia connections to the IMS LifeLink Health Plan between 2001 and 2011.

Dr. Etminan found that there was a higher risk of gynecomastia in Risperdal (and paliperdidone) users and recommended that doctors consider giving alternative antipsychotic medications to their patients. Paliperdidone is Johnson & Johnson’s drug that treats schizophrenia and is allegedly causing reactions similar to Risperdal in users.

Dr. Iqbal Ahmed, who was not a part of the study, confirmed to Medscape that, “among antipsychotics, [Risperdal is] most likely to cause gynecomastia in some men, probably because of higher prolactin levels.” Prolactin leads to the development of breast growth in women.

Even prior to these findings, a 2006 Risperdal study in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology warned against Risperdal side effects, saying that the long-term effects are not well documented and that the drug “should be administered with caution to children and adolescents.” With other medial options available, patients should be careful and discuss all of the potential side effects of Risperdal.

Risperdal Lawsuits

The first Risperdal lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson settled in 2012; settlement details are classified. Since then, hundreds of young men are taking legal steps against Johnson & Johnson for allegedly causing gynecomastia and are seeking appropriate compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, psychological trauma, and more.

Johnson & Johnson has lost three straight Risperdal lawsuits and has already paid billions of dollars to plaintiffs.

Join a Free Risperdal Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you or your son took Risperdal between the ages of 10 and 18 years old and suffered gynecomastia (male breast growth), male breast pain, nipple pain, or nipple discharge, you may be entitled to compensation.