Men and boys who develop large male breasts upon taking an antipsychotic medication may wonder if stopping Risperdal will allow their breasts to return to their normal masculine state.

What is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is the increase of breast gland tissue in men or boys and is caused by a hormonal imbalance between estrogen and testosterone. Gynecomastia looks different for different people—one or both breasts can be affected, and they may be affected unevenly.

Gynecomastia can affect a number of different age groups, from newborns, boys going through puberty, to adult men. Gynecomastia is generally not a serious issue in terms of physical health, but there may be psychological effects if a patient has trouble coping with the excess tissue. In some cases, gynecomastia can even lead to nipple discharge in one or both breasts.

What is Risperdal?

Risperdal (risperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic medication approved to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and certain disorders on the autism spectrum. Some doctors legally prescribe the drug for off-label uses, such as to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or anxiety.

Risperdal is sold by Janssen, a prominent subsidiary of pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson, and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) back in 1993 for use in children and adults.

Why Would Risperdal Cause Gynecomastia?

According to ChildMind.org, Risperdal causes an increase of prolactin, which is a hormone responsible for breast enlargement and breast milk secretion during a woman’s pregnancy.

An overabundance of prolactin is a condition known as hyperprolactinemia. The Child Mind Institute reports that boys and men suffering from hyperprolactinemia may experience low sperm counts and increased breast size.

If Risperdal is Taken to Control Psychological Issues, How Can it Affect Hormones?

Risperdal works by interfering with dopamine, which is a hormone and a neurotransmitter responsible for sending signals between the nerve cells inside the brain.  In the process of helping with some psychological disturbances, Risperdal can block dopamine from the pituitary gland, leading to an increase of prolactin levels.

Will Prolactin Levels Remain High Even After Quitting Risperdal?

Stopping Risperdal may allow prolactin levels to return to normal, but after six to eight weeks on the medication, prolactin levels have been known to drop back to normal without stopping the drug. It’s not possible to know which patients will continue to experience high levels of prolactin or develop gynecomastia.

Aren’t Enlarged Breasts Possible by Just Gaining Weight?

Sometimes the breasts become enlarged with an increase of fatty tissue, just like the rest of the body, but in the case of gynecomastia, the enlarged breasts cannot be reduced by weight loss.

Gynecomastia, also known as man boobs, is a condition attributed to an increase of glandular tissue, which is a product of hormones. Glandular tissue is not reduced by weight loss.

How Does a Man or Boy Get Rid of Man Boobs?

If the development of man boobs is detected early, stopping Risperdal may allow swollen breast tissue to return to near normal. However, breasts that remain enlarged for longer than a year are most apt to be due to excess glandular tissue, which may need to be reduced through surgery or liposuction.

Have Any Lawsuits Been Filed Regarding Gynecomastia and Risperdal?

Yes. Risperdal is made by Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals marketed the antipsychotic drug. Both have faced lawsuits alleging the companies knew gynecomastia could be a significant adverse side effect, but failed to adequately warn physicians, parents or patients.

Was One Plaintiff Awarded More Than $8 Billion?

Yes. In October 2019, a judge in Philadelphia ruled plaintiff Nicholas Murray, now 26, should receive the award, which was determined by a Pennsylvania jury. The $8 billion in punitive damages was ordered based on Murray’s experience of being prescribed Risperdal and developing gynecomastia.

Can I File a Lawsuit Over Risperdal Gynecomastia?

A growing number of boys and men are coming forward with allegations that their exposure to Risperdal led to problems with gynecomastia breast growth.

If you or someone you love has suffered from gynecomastia after using Risperdal, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the suffering caused by these complications, it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

Join a Free Risperdal Side Effects Lawsuit Investigation

If you or your son took Risperdal and experienced any of the following Risperdal side effects listed below, you may qualify to pursue compensation for your injuries:

• Male breast growth
• Man boobs
• Gynecomastia
• Painful breasts
• Nipple pain
• Nipple discharge

See if you qualify by filling out the form on this page for a free case evaluation by a Risperdal gynecomastia attorney. 

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