In 2005, a report by JR Stevens et al. published in Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology and titled “Elevated prolactin levels in male youths treated with risperidone and quetiapine.” aimed to determine the extent to which Risperdal (risperidone) and Seroquel (quetiapine) raised levels of prolactin in patients. Prolactin is the hormone responsible for breast growth and milk production, and many studies have been published linking Risperdal and male breast growth.
“The aim of this study was to report on the serum prolactin levels in 70 male youths at a residential treatment center who were treated with either risperidone or quetiapine.” Fifty of those patients were treated with Risperdal, and twenty were treated with Seroquel.
After six weeks, it was found that “Prolactin was above the upper limit of normal for 68% of the patients on risperidone and 20% of the patients on quetiapine”. As such, this paper concluded that “Given that hyperprolactinemia secondary to antipsychotic treatment may result in reproductive and growth irregularities, periodic long-term monitoring during treatment with these two atypical antipsychotics (and perhaps others as well) may be warranted.”
Due to the fact that Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the manufacturer of Risperdal) has failed time and again to warn users of the risk for male breast growth with Risperdal, a number of Risperdal lawsuits are currently being filed.
If you or a loved one used Risperdal and suffered male breast growth as a result, you too may be entitled to significant financial compensation. For a free, no-obligation case consultation, please contact our team of Risperdal lawyers at the information provided below. We have the compassion, resources, and experience 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.