Dangerous Side Effects of Risperdal

June 28, 2025 | Personal Injury

Risperdal, also known by its generic name risperidone, is an antipsychotic drug. Doctors usually prescribe it to treat bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and sometimes behavior problems related to autism. It’s been on the market for years, and it’s helped some people. However, it’s also done real damage to others.

This medication changes how the chemicals in the brain work, which is how it helps reduce symptoms. But those changes come with risks — some of them serious and, in many cases, unexpected.

Beyond the Label: The Hidden Risks of Risperdal

When a person starts taking Risperdal, they might experience common side effects like dizziness, sleepiness, or weight gain. Those are listed on the label and talked about in the ads. But the more dangerous issues have been downplayed.

Gynecomastia is one of the most widely reported problems with this drug. It’s been linked to the growth of breast tissue in boys and men, which can lead to pain, embarrassment, and sometimes the need for surgery to remove it. For some, the psychological toll is worse than the physical and leaves behind serious trauma.

In fact, thousands of liability lawsuits have been filed over this exact problem. Families were blindsided, weren’t warned, and were left to pick up the pieces.

Risperdal’s Impact on Hormones

What makes Risperdal especially risky is how it affects a person’s hormones. It increases prolactin levels, which is responsible for milk production in nursing mothers. In males, high prolactin can trigger breast growth, sexual dysfunction, and changes in mood.

In adolescent boys, the effects are especially devastating. At an age when fitting in with their peers already feels like a losing fight, growing breasts can lead to bullying, isolation, and depression. Some boys need hormone therapy or surgery to counteract the effects. Even after treatment, the emotional and physical damage often sticks around.

Neurological and Cardiovascular Risks

Besides hormonal problems, Risperdal has also been connected to more serious conditions like tardive dyskinesia. This is a movement disorder that causes twitching, jerking, or facial grimacing that doesn’t go away. For some, these movements become permanent. The drug changes how the brain controls the muscles, and once that control is lost, it’s hard to get back.

Risperdal can also affect the heart. It’s been tied to irregular heartbeats, which can be dangerous even for healthy people. Many patients have suffered strokes or cardiac events after using the drug for a long time. And again, many weren’t made fully aware of the risk.

The FDA’s Role and Legal Fallout

The FDA did approve Risperdal. However, over time, the agency has issued stronger warnings. The manufacturer has faced several lawsuits and paid out millions in settlements. Much of the legal trouble comes from marketing the medication for uses it wasn’t approved for, particularly in children and the elderly.

The negligent off-label marketing made Risperdal seem safer and more flexible than it actually was. Because of this, people in Chambersburg and across the country took it without understanding what they were getting into.

These aren’t isolated cases, either. The side effects of Risperdal show a pattern of serious health issues that often weren’t disclosed up front. The drug has left a long trail of injuries that have derailed countless lives..

Contact the Chambersburg Personal Injury Lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates for Help Today

If you’ve been injured by someone else’s negligence, we can help you get the recovery you deserve. Contact our personal injury lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates for a free consultation today:

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