Risperdal and the generic form Risperidone are atypical antipsychotic drugs that are often prescribed to treat certain mental and mood disorders like autism, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, they’re linked with a wide variety of serious side effects including male breast growth or gynecomastia. While male children and adults are supposedly being treated for mood and mental disorders, they’re developing breast tissue that resembles that of a woman’s breasts.
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is defined by the Mayo Clinic is a swelling of breast tissue in boys or men. This condition, which is a side effect of the drug Risperdal, leaves boys and men with the appearance of having woman-like breasts. Although it happens more commonly in young and adolescent boys, it can also happen to adult men. Gynecomastia can impact one breast or both breasts, and sometimes tissue is unevenly distributed. In some cases, the condition is also accompanied by pain in the breasts.
Emotional and Psychological Damage
Undoubtedly, the most difficult part of living with gynecomastia is the emotional and psychological damage that it inflicts on sufferers. In addition to directly impacting a boy’s self esteem, research has shown that gynecomastia is also linked with significant deficits in mental health, general health, social functioning and eating behaviors.
Surgical Intervention
There are options for victims. Not all cases resolve when patients stop taking Risperdal or Risperidone, so many times, surgical intervention is necessary. Typically, two different procedures can be utilized for men and boys with gynecomastia. First, there is liposuction, in which a small incision is made and fatty tissue is vacuumed out. Second, there is excision, which requires the cutting out of breast tissue. In many cases, to get the best and most normal looking results, doctors will do both procedures, sometimes in more than one visit.
Additional Potential Side Effects of Risperdal and Risperidone
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Weight gain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Muscle spasms
- A rise in blood sugar which can cause diabetes
- A rise in cholesterol
- Inability to produce sperm
- Unwanted breast milk
- Seizures
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Tardive dyskinesia
When to Contact a Lawyer
Gynecomastia caused by Risperdal or Risperidone isn’t something anybody should have to live with, especially boys and men who are already being treated for certain mental and mood disorders. Patients need to know that they have options. If you have suffered from this type of injury, contact Altman Legal Group at 940-761-4000 today.