Does Risperidone Cause Breast Enlargement

Breast enlargement is a side effect of risperidone, and it’s one of the most common side effects. Breast enlargement is usually temporary and goes away when you stop taking risperidone.

Just what is Risperdal?

Risperidone, or Risperdal, is an antipsychotic drug available only with a doctor’s prescription. The medicine was first licensed for use in adults solely to treat mental illnesses like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. More and more often, however, Risperdal is being used to treat young boys who exhibit symptoms of bipolar disorder, aggressiveness, mood disorders, melancholy, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or other behavior problems. In addition, it is widely used for treating ADD and ADHD in children (ADHD).

More than 25% of Risperdal users are now children and adolescents, despite the fact that the medication was not developed with them in mind.

Risperdal is used for treating what exactly?
WebMD states that Risperdal (Risperidone) is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, among other mental illnesses and mood disorders. In addition, it has been used to help calm the agitation seen in people with autism spectrum condition.

According to drugwatch.com, doctors frequently prescribe Risperdal for conditions including ADHD, sleep difficulties, anxiety disorders like OCD, and clinical depression, despite the fact that these uses have not been recognized by the FDA.

Does Risperdal Cause Gynecomastia, and If So, When Does It Manifest?
In the early stages of Risperdal medication, gynecomastia typically manifests as a tiny lump under the nipple on one or both sides of the chest. It’s possible that the lump, which may only affect one side, is tender to the touch or causes discomfort even when not touched. A discharge of breast milk may emerge from the nipple as the lump grows. Galactorrhea is a disorder associated with gynecomastia.

So what triggers the development of male breast tissue?
According to drugwatch.com, the pituitary gland secretes a hormone called prolactin, which is responsible for a man’s libido. One of the brain’s neurotransmitters, dopamine, regulates prolactin levels. It is known that Risperdal can inhibit dopamine and lead to an increase in prolactin that can eventually become excessive.

This adverse effect has the potential to trigger the development of breast tissue and lactation in young boys and men. Females of all ages can experience this, however it is not usually considered abnormal until far after puberty has passed.

According to the Mayo Clinic, gynecomastia results from an estrogen and testosterone imbalance. Although estrogen is more commonly associated with females, both sexes really manufacture trace amounts of each hormone, with males producing slightly more estrogen than they do testosterone. Gynecomastia occurs when the hormone balance tips too much in favor of estrogen.

Could Gynecomastia Be Treated?
In some cases, gynecomastia can be reversed by discontinuing treatment and switching to a different drug for the underlying mental health condition. Typically, this is most effective in the initial phases of development or in really mild instances. When this is not the case, breast tissue removal surgery is a common option. When a patient has been off Risperdal for at least a year and still retains breast tissue, this alternative is sometimes considered.

Reverse Effects of Risperidone in Young Males

Male breast development (gynecomastia) has been documented as a serious adverse effect of Risperdal in young boys and teens. Surgery is the sole option for treating this problem, which is permanent. Gynecomastia may have a severe effect on a child’s emotional stability, and treatment often involves expensive and dangerous surgery. After all, any kid or teen using Risperdal probably has a mental disease or behavior issue to begin with.

Risperdal is blamed for Gynecomastia because it triggers an increase in prolactin production, according to experts. One of the hormones responsible for controlling breast development in females is called prolactin. When the pituitary gland in the brain is inhibited from producing prolactin, the result might be a considerable increase in the size of male breast tissue.

First Symptoms of Male Breast Development

When males take Risperdal, they not only gain weight in the chest tissues, as might happen in overweight boys and men, but they also acquire extra breast tissue. Many tumors start as a tender bump in the neck. The nipple might get sore and enlarge with time.

Although gynecomastia often affects both breasts, it might affect one breast instead. The degree of growth varies from person to person. Different breasts may be impacted in the same way or in a different way when the disease affects both. It is possible for one breast to enlarge more than the other, further isolating the patient in social settings. Breast milk production has been reported in men diagnosed with gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia Treatment
Stopping Risperdal usage may be all that’s needed to treat mild to moderate gynecomastia. Once prolactin production has stabilized, it may be possible to switch to an antipsychotic medicine that is less harmful.

Doctors may recommend breast reduction surgery if breast enlargement lasts for more than a year. When traditional or laser liposuction hasn’t worked, male breast reduction surgery or mastectomy has been necessary for many men and boys.