According to an article published in the September 2000 edition of Clinical Therapeutics, risperidone (Risperdal) raised prolactin levels significantly more than two other common antipsychotic drugs tested, olanzapine and haloperidol.
This is important because elevated prolactin levels can lead to gynecomastia – the development of breasts in males, a condition which can be very traumatizing, as well as other side effects.
This finding by S.R. David et al. (2000) came from three separate double-blind studies. The first compared prolactin levels of 5-20mg/day users of olanzapine to that of patients who used 5-20mg/day of haloperidol. This study found that haloperidol raised prolactin levels more than olanzapine.
Next came a study which compared prolactin levels in patients who used 5-20mg/day of olanzapine or 5-20mg/day of haloperidol with 4-10mg/day of Risperdal. This study found that prolactin “elevations were significantly greater with risperidone than with either olanzapine or haloperidol”.
The last study compared only Risperdal to olanzapine (4-12mg/day and 5-20mg/day, respectively). Here, it was also found that Risperdal elevated prolactin levels more — “elevations were significantly greater with risperidone … than with olanzapine in study 3”. It is also noted that “Risperidone-associated PRL elevations peaked relatively early in treatment.” (“PRL” means plasma prolactin level.)
Accordingly, David et al. (2000) concluded that “This side-by-side analysis of 3 independent studies suggests that with the 3 antipsychotic drugs studied, PRL is elevated moderately by olanzapine (mean change, 1-4 ng/mL), intermediately by haloperidol (mean change, approximately 17 ng/mL), and strongly by risperidone (mean change, 45-80 ng/mL).”
Sadly, the manufacturer of Risperdal (Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) has failed time and again to adequately warn users of the risk for male breast growth associated with Risperdal. As a result, a number of Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits are currently being filed.
If you or a loved one used Risperdal and suffered male breast growth as a result, please don’t hesitate to contact our team of Risperdal lawyers at the information below, for you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. 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.