It’s ironic how a drug used to treat mental illness could cause psychological damage, in the form of having Gynecomastia. This condition is commonly known as having man-boobs, which is socially awkward and could cause dysfunctional social coping. The drug responsible for breasts enlargement in men as one of its major side effects is Risperdal, with the generic name Risperidone.
Approximately 90% of males who use Risperdal develop degrees of breast enlargement. It could start as a small lump around the nipple area, but continues to grow if the medication is used continuously. This drug, which is an antipsychotic, causes the breasts to enlarge by increasing prolactin levels in the brain as a side effect of its dopamine-blocking mechanism. Prolactin stimulates breast development and milk production in women. In men, as a side effect of Risperdal, it could cause abnormal breast size and decreased masculinity.
Gynecomastia as a side effect of Risperdal in men is not something to be taken lightly. Having large breasts could psychologically depress men because of the social stigma it brings. In worst cases, some men grow breasts that are cup D in size. Adding insult to the injury is the fact that the enlargement could only happen to a single breast. Anyone could imagine just how awkward it is to go out in public as a man with large breasts, and with one even bigger than the other! This is why it is ironic how a drug that treats mental illness causes a condition that may lead to a different yet another type of mental illness in the form of depression due to ineffective social coping.
Some people who experienced breast enlargement from the use of Risperdal filed legal suits to its manufacturer. However, the company has always been honest about the drug’s side effects and left the public to decide whether or not to take it. Also, its benefit to treat a major mental illness is also relevant and gives its manufacturer a reason to keep on producing the drug. The company only suggests discontinued use of the drug in order to stop its side effect. That is, if the enlargement is not yet big and still able to shrink. In most cases, the mild form of gynecomastia is resolved once the use of Risperdal is stopped. In times when the breasts are too big to ever return to its normal size, surgery is a possible option.
The use of Risperdal and other prolactin-inducing antipsychotics is still continued because doctors still prescribe them for their relevance in treating mental conditions. What men could do is to explore other options if presented with a need to use this type of drug. Nowadays, there are antipsychotics with similar benefits without the breast enlargement as a side effect. However, as in any real-life situation, there is always a catch. These drugs may also have their own set of side effects which could be worse than having man boobs. It’s up to male patients to decide which side effect they can handle more.
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