Risperdal (risperidone) is an antipsychotic medication, designed to help people suffering from mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Like many other medications designed to treat brain issues, the drug was 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. In 2006, it was approved by the FDA for use in children to treat these conditions. However, in a study published online in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, researchers warn that “the trend in prescribing Abilify, Risperdal and other antipsychotics to children appears to be linked to socio-economic status and not good medical standards or science.”

Researchers reviewed data on more than 250,000 youths enrolled in a state Medicaid program between the ages of two and 17. They also looked at children who were diagnosed with ADHD. Their findings were not comforting. Results showed that “about three times as many youth who are in foster care and who have ADHD were prescribed antipsychotics; the most common used being Risperdal, followed by Abilify and Seroquel.” These medications are not approved for use in treating ADHD.

Socio-economic status should not come into play when treating anyone, especially children. Antipsychotic drug use now accounts for the majority of treatment for children with behavioral conditions, such as ADHD, under Medicaid.

Researchers say this is “raising short- and long-term safety concerns in the absence of sufficient efficacy data to justify potentially severe treatment-emergent adverse events,” and recommended a monitoring system be put in place to make certain that children are being properly prescribed antipsychotic medications.

Additional Risperdal Issues

Another potential issue with Risperdal found in different studies has shown a possible link between Risperdal and gynecomastia in boys and young men. 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.

Johnson & Johnson has been facing a number of Risperdal lawsuits and a Risperdal class action lawsuit investigation over allegations the company failed to warn of this risk. In addition to the physical damages, plaintiffs allege that Risperdal breast growth can have a devastating psychological effect on the boys, seriously impacting their overall quality of life.

Moreover, in recent years concerns have been raised about the risk of childhood diabetes from Abilify and other atypical antipsychotic medications. According to a study published in the medical journalJAMA Psychiatry in August 2013, side effects of Abilify, Risperdal and other similar drugs may triple the risk of diabetes in children. The researchers warned that the threat extended to all classes of antipsychotics.