According to an article published in a 2013 edition of the French medical journal L’Encephale, risperidone (Risperdal), an antipsychotic medication manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is associated with gynecomastia — breast development in men.
Risperdal and similar antipsychotics are considered “prolactin-raising” drugs, as they tend to result in elevated blood levels of prolactin, the hormone responsible for breast development in humans. When a patient is found to have high levels of prolactin in the blood, he or she is said to have hyperprolactinemia.
The 2013 L’Encephale study, titled “Antipsychotic-drug-induced hyperprolactinemia: Physiopathology, clinical features and guidance,” cited a study in which it was found that “18% of men and 47% of women treated with antipsychotics for severe mental illness had a prolactin level above the normal range,” and that symptoms of hyperprolactinemia, including “sexual dysfunction, infertility, amenorrhea, gynecomastia [and] galactorrhoea” are “common”.
Sadly, the Risperdal Warning Label only states that 2.3% of male Risperdal users are expected to suffer gynecomastia. Due to the wide disparity between the risk rate for gynecomastia as stated by Janssen Pharmaceuticals and that reported by independent scientists, a number of Risperdal lawsuits are currently being filed.
If you or a loved one used Risperdal and suffered male breast enlargement or another Risperdal side effect, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation from the manufacturer for your undue injuries. For more information or a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of Risperdal lawyers at your convenience. We have the compassion, experience, and resources required to win the justice you deserve. Call today and see how we can help!
(855) 452 – 5529
Our Risperdal Lawsuit Information page is a great place to start if you have any questions about Risperdal.