Download Antipsychotic Prescription Medication can Cause Abnormal Breast

Risperdal Causing Breast Development in Children as
Young as Four
Antipsychotic Prescription Medication can Cause Abnormal Breast Development and Even
Milk Production in Boys and Girls
Risperdal, a prescription medication approved for use in children for several psychiatric disorders can cause breast
development in boys. Some of the boys and young girls developing breasts due to this medication will also begin
producing milk. This rarely publicized side effect was highlighted in a recent story on the CBS Evening News. (1)
Risperdal, manufactured by Janssen, is approved for use in adults and adolescents as young as age 10 for
schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It is also approved in children as young as age 5 for treatment of irritability
caused by autism. It is only approved for psychotic behavior within these diagnoses but some physicians prescribe it
to pediatric patients before the age of 5 and for disorders other than psychotic behavior associated with
schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or autism including aspergers syndrome and ADD/ADHD which do not have true
psychotic behavior.
Though not specifically mentioned in the general prescribing information as an "adverse event", Risperdal is known
to cause gynecomastia or abnormal breast development and occasionally even lactation or milk production in boys
and young girls and also in adult men.
Hyperprolactinemia, elevated levels of the hormone prolactin is listed as a side effect and is thought to be the cause
of breast development. Prolactin is the hormone which stimulates milk production. Normally present in high
amounts only in breast feeding women, an excessively high level can cause breast budding, breast growth and even
milk production in any person including adult men, boys, and young girls.
In several different studies of Risperdal use for autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other psychiatric
disorders, up to 87% of pediatric and adolescent patients aged 5-17 had elevated prolactin levels after only 8 weeks.
In a study involving 1885 children, 43 reportedly developed abnormal breast tissue. In other studies involving
children as many as 2.3% developed gynecomastia and 0.8% began producing milk.
Hyperprolactinemia may also be responsible for suppression of gonadotropin releasing hormone GnRH which
would mean that all of the sex hormones would be suppressed. This may inhibit reproductive function and lead to a
delay of appropriate pubertal development, particularly important for boys. Decreased levels of GnRH will lead to
low testosterone levels and a significant delay of development of all male secondary sex characteristics such as facial
and body hair growth, increased musculature, genital enlargement and voice deepening. (2)
According to CBS News, attorney Stephen Shiller represents 10 children who were given Risperdal and developed
abnormal breast tissue, one of whom was only 4 and had to undergo a mastectomy after he began lactating. On
behalf of the children, Shiller has filed suit against Janssen with claims that Janssen is marketing Risperdal for
unapproved uses such as treatment of ADHD and that the labeling for Risperdal is not clear as to the threat of breast
development in children. Janssen has denied such claims.
The only treatment for gynecomastia is unfortunately a radical mastectomy. Many of the children affected will have
to undergo surgery and possibly counseling for psychological issues caused by the medication. (3)
sources.
(1) Sharyl Attkisson, CBS News, The New Drug Of Choice
(2) Janssen, risperdal.com, Risperdal Full U.S. Prescribing Information
(3) Sharyl Attkisson, CBS News, The New Drug Of Choice
Quiz Questions:
(1 pt.) What is Risperdal and what is it used for?
(2 pts.) Define the following terms:
1. Gynecomastia
2. Hyperprolactinemia
(1 pt.) What does GnRH stand for and what does it do (you may need to look through handouts)?
(1 pt.) What is prolactin and what does it do?
(10 pts.) We have all heard drug commercials containing what seem like horrible side effects. Write a script for a
commercial for Risperdal. You must include the benefits of the drug (what is it used for and how would you convince
someone it is the right drug for them) and the side effects.
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