Patients treated with antipsychotic drug Risperdal have a 69 percent higher risk of developing gynecomastia (male breast growth) compared to those not taking the drug, according to an article in the October issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology.

Risperdal (also known as risperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adolescent and adult conditions of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder for those between the ages of 10 and 17, and, on occasion, irritability for children with autistic disorder. However, within the last few years, various consumer reports and drug studies have suggested that there is a strong link between Risperdal use and the development of gynecomastia.

The study’s release coincides with the beginning of the trials of a massive collection of Risperdal lawsuits. Because of the sheer number of reported cases of Risperdal gynecomastia, a multidistrict litigation has been established in Philadelphia. There are 900 Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits pending trial under the MDL In Re: Risperdal Litigation, Case No: 100300296, in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. The first Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit of this MDL went to trial on Nov. 3.

The Risperdal gynecomastia study published last month gathered data from 8,000 male patients from 40 to 85 who allegedly suffered from gynecomastia. They were then compared to the control group comprised of 83,000 men in the same age group range in order to better understand the potential causes of gynecomastia. This Risperdal gynecomastia study ran from June 2001 until June 2011.

According to this study, aside from Risperdal gynecomastia, risperidone users are also at a higher risk of developing other serious health conditions, such as diabetes and stroke when compared to their counterparts who took other antipsychotics.

What is Risperdal?

Risperdal was first created by the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals in 1993. Since the drug’s introduction into the North American drug market, Risperdal has been prescribed to thousands of patients to treat mental conditions including schizophrenia, bipolar mania, and autistic disorder.

However, Risperdal can have some unwanted side effects such as unnatural male breast growth. Although the drug is designed to block dopamine, Risperdal can also overstimulate the pituitary gland, causing the gland to release prolactin. The prolactin hormone stimulates milk production and can cause men and adolescent boys to experience male breast growth.

Signs and Side Effects of Risperdal Gynecomastia

While gynecomastia is physically benign, it is the source of great psychological stress for young men and may lead to issues with body image and body acceptance.

Some symptoms of gynecomastia include:

• Nipple discharge
• Tenderness in the breast area
• Pain in breast tissue
• Swelling of breast tissue and nipples

As a result of the various emotional, psychological and physical gynecomastia side effects of Risperdal, many young men have filed or will file a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit or have joined Risperdal gynecomastia class action lawsuits against J&J and Janssen.