Invega is an increasingly popular antipsychotic medication used to treat a variety of disorders, including schizophrenia.

Recently, however, the antipsychotic has been linked with a series of troubling Invega side effects, including gynecomastia, or male breast growth.

Invega Background

Invega (generic name paliperidone) is manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2006.

It is categorized as an atypical antipsychotics and is prescribed to adults and adolescents over the age of 12.  Invega works to restore the balance of certain substances in the brain.

However, several concerning Invega side effects have come to light in recent years through complaints, reports, studies, and lawsuits.

Invega lawsuits allege that Janssen Pharmaceuticals failed to adequately warn both the public and the medical community about the possibility of serious Invega side effects such as gynecomastia.

Invega Side Effects

While lawsuits against Janssen Pharmaceuticals often cite a number of Invega side effects, including diabetes, movement disorders, and nipple pain, one of the more common serious side effects is gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia is best described as male breast growth. Invega users who develop gynecomastia are more likely to be adolescents than adults.

For many young men who develop enlarged breasts after taking Invega, the symptoms can be extremely embarrassing and even traumatizing. Puberty is a difficult enough time in a young man’s life already.

People may assume that gynecomastia is caused by an excess of fat, but is instead a buildup of excessive breast tissue. Though it is yet unclear what exactly causes gynecomastia, it is most often attributed to an imbalance in the body’s hormones.

While Invega’s job is to stabilize certain substances in the brain in order to treat various mental conditions, it may also increase the amount of the hormone prolactin in a person’s body. This is the hormone that stimulates breast growth in women.

Similarly, young men whose prolactin levels suddenly increase may develop gynecomastia. According to the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, Invega is more likely than other similar drugs to increase prolactin levels.

Indeed, more than 90 percent of Invega and Risperdal users have elevated prolactin levels after use, which may make them more likely than others to develop gynecomastia symptoms.

Hundreds of boys and young men who have taken Invega have reported developing excessive breast tissue. In some cases, the symptoms are barely even noticeable.

In others, however, breast tissue growth can become quite extreme. In the most major cases, a young man may develop “D” cup breasts because of gynecomastia.

Unfortunately, this is a side effect of Invega that may not simply go away on its own anytime soon. For some, yes, all it takes to treat is simply halting intake of Invega. However, for other boys, surgery was necessary to remove excess tissue.

Help for Invega Gynecomastia Victims

Hundreds of families have filed gynecomastia lawsuits over Invega side effects, alleging that Janssen Pharmaceuticals failed to adequately warn about the risk of gynecomastia. In some cases, lawsuits resulted in plaintiffs winning millions in settlement money.

While a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering felt through Invega side effects, it can help to compensate for financial expenses incurred by medical bills.

If you or someone you love has developed gynecomastia after taking Invega, you may be able to file an Invega lawsuit.