Risperdal, a popular antipsychotic, can cause Risperdal gynecomastia side effects that are traumatizing or otherwise damaging for boys and young men.

Also known by its generic name, risperidone, Risperdal is a popular antipsychotic drug manufactured and distributed by pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson.

It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat a variety of mental or mood disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar mania and autism.

Atypical antipsychotics like Risperdal help restore the balance of various natural substances in the brain.

Like any medication, Risperdal comes with side effects. Risperdal side effects include involuntary motion, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, nausea and skin rashes.

These side effects are nothing out of the ordinary for these kinds of medications, and patients are well warned of these effects prior to taking the drug.

However, some patients note that Risperdal gynecomastia side effects were not properly warned about in either the patient or medical communities.

Risperdal Gynecomastia Side Effects

Hundreds of boys and young men who took Risperdal have developed male breasts. Gynecomastia is essentially the development of male breasts. These Risperdal gynecomastia side effects are caused by excess breast tissue, not fat.

Gynecomastia is often caused by a hormonal imbalance. This is also the case for Risperdal users who develop gynecomastia. Risperdal adjusts the balance of certain hormones in the body, including prolactin.

Prolactin is a hormone that aids in milk production in nursing and pregnant women. Prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland and controlled by dopamine and is also present in small amounts in men.

That’s where Risperdal comes in. Risperdal blocks dopamine receptors, which increases levels of prolactin in the body. This can lead to hyperprolactinemia. Hyperprolactinemia can, in both children and adolescents, cause gynecomastia.

Not all antipsychotics are linked so closely with gynecomastia. In fact, hyperprolactinemia reportedly occurs more commonly in patients taking Risperdal than any other antipsychotic.

For some young men, Risperdal gynecomastia side effects became such an issue in their daily lives that they underwent surgery for excess tissue removal.

In some of these cases, boys had grown such excessive breast tissue from Risperdal gynecomastia side effects that the breasts became “D” cups.

Risperdal Lawsuits

Hundreds of boys and young men who have suffered from Risperdal gynecomastia side effects have filed gynecomastia lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson. These injured parties claim that that the drug maker failed to adequately warn patients about the potential side effects of the drug.

If you or someone you know was negatively impacted by Risperdal gynecomastia side effects, or you are a male who has developed excessive breast tissues due to taking Risperdal, you may be able to file a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson for failure to adequately warn about the potential side effects of the drug.