Any powerful pyschoactive drug will have a significant effect on the chemistry in the brain, which is why they can help treat major conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However, one of the key reasons behind the development of the drug linked to Risperdal man boob side effects was tardive dyskinesia, which involves involuntary body movements, as well as other adverse events.

The first generation of these medications are now called “typical antipsychotics” and included drugs like Haldol and Thorazine which remain in common use in prisons and institutional populations. They prevent hallucinations and other symptoms of mental health disorders but also led to significant tremors and joint rigidity, leading to the slang term “Thorazine shuffle,” among others. In fact, they also carried risks very similar to Risperdal man boob side effects.

Risperidone’s development was supposed to be a step away from those symptoms, which can become permanent even after the cessation of treatment. However, Risperdal class action lawsuit lawyers can cite research dating back to 2002, if not earlier, noting that the drug still elevated prolactin levels, the hormone linked to gynecomastia side effects. Tardive dyskinesia and similar concerns remain an issue, but unlike the typical antipsychotics, is dose-dependent.

Newer atypical antipsychotics, which include Seroquel and Clozaril, have a reduced likelihood of involuntary movements as well as reducing the likelihood of elevated prolactin levels compared to rsiperidone. However, as with any psychoactive medication they have their own side effects. One of the concerns in complaints filed by Rispderdal class action lawsuit lawyers is that the drug was marketed for treatment in children even though there was no testing done on that population until many years after its approval.

Unfortunately, that means that many young men who took the medication may have developed gynecomastia during adolescence without realizing the condition occurred as a result of the drug and not other hormonal changes. Some cases are permanent and require costly, elective surgery not covered under many health insurance policies.