Does Risperdal Cause Gynecomastia? – Dr. Samuel Peal

A group of young men claims a prescription drug caused them to develop enlarged breast tissue, a condition known as gynecomastia. Risperdal is an antipsychotic drug prescribed to individuals who suffer from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other psychological disorders.

“Numerous Risperdal lawsuits have been filed in courts around the country which claim the medication caused patients to experience weight gain, diabetes, gynecomastia and other side effects,” according to Bernstein Liebhard LLP, the nationwide law firm representing the plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs allege that the manufacturer of the psychotropic medication, Johnson & Johnson, failed to provide sufficient warnings about this risk, and failed to properly research the drug’s side effects.

Some research shows that risperidone, the generic version of Risperdal, may increase the production of prolactin, a hormone that stimulates breast development in women.

About Gynecomastia

According to Dr. Samuel Pearl, a plastic surgeon in the Mountain View / Palo Alto area, gynecomastia affects an estimated 40 to 60 percent of men. It can affect one or both breasts. The term gynecomastia comes from the Greek words for “women-like breasts.”

Gynecomastia can cause low self-esteem and even psychological trauma, depending on the extent of the condition and the individual’s age. Younger boys or teenagers in school may be cruelly teased by classmates about their enlarged breasts.

Treating Gynecomastia

Dr. Pearl treats gynecomastia and creates a more masculine-looking chest through male breast reduction. Male breast reduction involves a combination of sophisticated liposuction techniques to remove excess fatty tissue and surgical excision to remove remaining glandular tissue.

As men age, the fatty tissue usually increases and the glandular tissue decreases. Dr. Pearl notes that young men who have gynecomastia usually have more glandular tissue; therefore, he concentrates most of his efforts on excising that tissue, and uses liposuction to fine-tune the results.

Male breast reduction will significantly improve the appearance of enlarged breasts, which is usually a boon to a man’s self-esteem.

Contact a Male Breast Reduction Surgeon

If you or a loved one has enlarged breast tissue and would like more information about gynecomastia and male breast reduction, please call Dr. Pearl’s office at 650-964-6600 and schedule a consultation.