The antipsychotic drug Risperdal has allegedly been linked to gynecomastia, the growth of female-like breasts in male patients. The growth of “man boobs” may embarrass many patients and make them reluctant to file a Risperdal lawsuit, but several studies and Risperdal lawsuits shed more light on the situation.

What is Risperdal?

Risperdal is an antipsychotic medication, a drug designed to help people suffering from mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Like some other medications designed to help issues with the brain, the drug has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat several other conditions, including bipolar disorder and aggression and irritability associated with autism.

Understanding Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is a disorder where hormone levels fall out of balance in male patients, causing them to develop female-like breasts, commonly known as man boobs. It sometimes happens naturally, and is most common tin three groups of males — infants, adolescents, and men over fifty years of age.

However, it is well known that several drugs could be linked to gynecomastia. Some have a more obvious link. For example, anabolic steroids, which alter hormone levels in the body, make sense as a drug that could trigger gynecomastia man boobs. However, several studies have found a possible link between gynecomastia and Risperdal, as well.

Risperdal Gynecomastia Studies

Several different studies have shown a link between Risperdal and gynecomastia. For example, a 2006 study from Sweden found evidence of a link. The study was a cohort study, a type of research where a group of people are followed to study the outcome of a common treatment. It was found that by the end of the study, all men tested had elevated levels of prolactin. In healthy females, prolactin produces breast growth. The hormone is also tightly associated with gynecomastia.

A U.S. study, also published in 2006, found increased levels of prolactin in patients taking the drug. In this study, researchers identified a metabolite of Risperdal, “9-hydroxyrisperidone” as the probable cause of gynecomastia. This compound is a metabolite of Risperdal, a chemical the body produces when it breaks down the drug.

Yet another 2006 U.S. study found that three-out-of-10 adolescent boys taking Risperdal suffered from gynecomastia, and two adolescent females in the study produced breastmilk — another side effect of gynecomastia.

Risperdal Lawsuits

More than 100 Risperdal lawsuits have been filed over the issue of male breast growth. These lawsuits allege that Risperdal drug maker, Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. both over-promoted the effectiveness of Risperdal and downplayed the risks associated with the drug. The drug makers have been accused of actively promoting the drug for off-label uses, which may further complicate their legal standing. Off-label is a term for using drugs for purposes other than their FDA-approved purpose. Physicians are allowed to do this, but drug manufacturers are not allowed to actively promote drugs for off-label uses.

The legal action against gynecomastia manufactures may take the form of a multi-district litigation (MDL) or Mass Tort. Mass Torts are a type of group lawsuit, similar to a Risperdal class action lawsuit. The main difference between the two types of lawsuits is that a Risperdal class action lawsuit is a single action filed by multiple plaintiffs, while Mass Torts start as individual lawsuits that are later centralized under one court. Both class action lawsuits and Mass Torts are designed to streamline the legal process. Mass Torts are more common in drug lawsuits because injuries can vary from person to person.