All Eyes on Philadelphia and Pending Trial for Risperdal and Growing Male Breasts

Philadelphia, PAA study appearing this month in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology suggests that Americans treated with the antipsychotic risperidone (Risperdal) presented with a 69 percent increased risk for the development of Risperdal gynecomastia when compared against those who did not take Risperdal.

Gynecomastia is the growth of male breasts. The atypical antipsychotic was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult and adolescent schizophrenia, bipolar disorder in adults and children ages 10 through 17 years, and irritability in children as young as five with autistic disorder.

One can imagine the panic and embarrassment suffered by a male of any age - but especially young men or even adolescents - at the sight of male breast tissue reflected back at them in the mirror. While “Risperdal and Growing Male Breasts” is just a headline for some, it is a painful reality for others.

Little wonder that many a plaintiff has filed a Risperdal lawsuit. Currently, there are 900 lawsuits nested in Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) in Philadelphia, with the first Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit scheduled to begin next week, November 3 ((In Re: Risperdal Litigation, Case No: 100300296, in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas).

Various studies dating back to 2006 have focused on the potential for development of excessive levels of prolactin from Risperdal use. Such high levels has been found to stimulate growth of breast tissue and milk production (lactation) in women, but also the development of male breasts in men and boys.

The current study originated from a comparison of 8,000 men who suffered from gynecomastia, ages 40 through 85 years, with 83,000 controls in the same age group and conducted over a 10-year period between June 2001 and June 2011.

Along with the high increased risk of Risperdal gynecomastia, the study also found that risperidone patients exhibited a 40 percent greater chance of developing male breasts when compared against patients treated with rival atypical antipsychotics such as Seroquel or Zyprexa.

Risperdal side effects are not limited to the development of male breasts. Risperdal diabetes is also a concern, and not unlike similar concerns over the potential development of diabetes stemming from medication in the absence of more common triggers for diabetes such as family history, diet, lack of exercise or weight gain.

Risperdal stroke is another.

Plaintiffs have complained to their Risperdal attorney that the manufacturers and marketers of risperidone - Johnson & Johnson and its Janssen Pharmaceuticals unit - concealed such Risperdal side effects from consumers and the medical community, or so it is alleged.

Meanwhile, pundits and advocates will have their eyes on Philadelphia November 3, when the Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit is set to begin.