Gynecomastia is a condition that is known to cause breast development and lactation in males. It is also one of the lesser known Risperdal side effects that is common in pre-pubescent boys. It turns out, though, that gynecomastia affects more than just young men. New research from the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology has shown a strong link between middle-aged men taking Risperdal and gynecomastia in men taking Risperdal.
The research showed that adult men taking Risperdal had a 69 percent increased risk of gynecomastia compared to men who did not take the medication. As a leading antipsychotic drug, there are approximately 12 million Risperdal prescriptions dispensed each year in the United States, according to the study. Given Risperdal’s popularity, the results of this study are vital for clinicians that are considering prescribing Risperdal.
Gynecomastia itself does not have dangerous implications. But, it does have a variety of psychological side effects. Gynecomastia side effects include:
- Decreased mental health
- Lowered social functioning
- Lowered self-esteem
- Decreased general health
- Lowered standard quality of life
About Risperdal and Gynecomastia
Risperdal is an atypical antipsychotic is approved to treat mental disorders such as schizophrenia, autism with irritability, and bipolar disorder. But, Risperdal is sometimes prescribed for a variety of psychological disorders outside of these intended uses. It is an effective medication for mental disorders and therefore is sometimes prescribed without regard to its more damaging side effects, such as gynecomastia.
