Risperdal Gynecomastia Link Detailed in New Study
New research presented at the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) 2014 Annual Meeting appears to substantiate the link between Johnson & Johnson’s drug Risperdal and gynecomastia, the development of breasts in men and young boys in a condition being referred to as Risperdal Gynecomastia.
The research was presented by Dr. Mahyar Etminan, a prominent pharmaceopidemiologist and lead researcher at the University of British Columbia. The team of researchers studied tens of thousands of patients to examine side effects of the popular antipsychotic drugs Risperdal and Invega. They found shockingly high increase in the risk of abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia) in patients who took the drugs. Compared with patients who were not taking the drug, older men taking Risperdal were found to have had a 69 percent higher chance of abnormal breast growth.
While previous research studies done on animals about the safety of Risperdal also indicated a link between the hormone prolactin (which is responsible for breast growth) and the drug, this important research from Dr. Etminan’s team at the University of British Columbia has proven the link in humans. Although the study involved mostly older men, the researchers believe that the drug has the same results in younger men and boys. Dr. Etminan’s research about Risperdal’s side effects is so compelling that he reportedly concluded doctors may want to prescribe Zyprexa, Seroquel or other alternate drugs for their male patients requiring antipsychotic drug therapy.
Risperdal is a popular drug for treating schizophrenia and bipolar disorders in both adults and adolescents. It has also been reportedly used for the off-label treatment of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, which is a owned by Johnson & Johnson, allegedly marketed the drug by failing to disclose the risk that patients could develop gynecomastia, a condition where young boys and adult males actually develop female breasts (in some cases up to size B or C cup breasts). Although this had been reported to the FDA, reports alone were insufficient to establish a causal link between Risperdal and gynecomastia. Now, with the epidemiologic study performed by Dr. Etminan and his team confirming Risperdal causes the male breast condition, Janssen Pharmaceuticals will likely face increased litigation pressure.
How Do I Get More Information?
If you or your son or other loved one has developed male breast tissue after taking the drug Risperdal, or has experienced other side effects, contact the law firm of Audet & Partners LLP for a free consultation about your legal options. Call us at (800) 965-1461 or fill out the confidential case inquiry form on the right side of this page.
