Is medication to blame for gynecomastia?Is medication to blame for gynecomastia?Q: I am a male in my mid 40s. About three or four months ago my breasts began to actually hurt and enlarge. I didn’t want to see a doctor but finally made an appointment because of the pain. He ordered a mammogram which was really embarrassing for me. I’ve always thought that test was just for women and not for men. Anyway, the X-ray was normal and I was told I had gynecomastia. Well, my breasts still hurt.
I’ve since heard through a television ad that if men suffer from painful breasts and have ever taken Risperidone, there may be a connection. I was prescribed Risperidone for a short time several years ago but discontinued the medicine because I didn’t like the way I felt when I was on it. I’m not interested in calling any 1-800 number so I can sue but I’d sure like to know why I’m in such pain all the time. Could this be my problem and where do I go from here?
A: Risperdal/Risperidone is an antipsychotic medication approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in adolescents and adults and autism spectrum disorders in children and adolescents. The medication is not approved for use in psychotic conditions with a relation to dementia. The product was initially approved by the FDA to treat schizophrenia in 1993 and later uses for the drug were expanded. Physicians often prescribe drugs for conditions other than which they were intended. Referred to as ‘off label’, this practice has been used to treat ADHD and other disorders. Government regulators and attorneys general in 36 of the United States and the District of Columbia settled a suit in which they determined the manufacturer of Resperdal (Rispirdal) illegally promoted off-label use in children prior to FDA approval for younger patients. Beyond that, hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer by users who claim psychological trauma from breast growth. In 2011, two lots of Resperdal (Rispirdal) were recalled when they were found to be contaminated with chemicals used to treatment pallets manufactured for shipment and in 2013 another injectable Resperidal (Rispirdal) recall occurred because of concerns with mold.
Unfortunately, what makes Risperdal work is exactly what can cause side effects which may include tremors, agitation, weight gain, extremity pain, headache dizziness, depression, and more. The drug works by altering the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. Unfortunately, a number of complications may be triggered by the abnormal levels of hormones in the body, thus the prescribing physician should be notified if any of the following conditions develop – a high fever, cardiac arrhythmias, breast swelling or tenderness (in men or women) impotence, easy bruising, cough, or shortness of breath. Patients could also experience a reaction if they take specific prescription medications, some over-the-counter substances, vitamins, or herbal products.
So, can I indicate the medication is the result of your breast enlargement? Perhaps so, but the answer is best left to your prescribing physician who can review your medical history and make or rule out the connection. Other possible reasons may include the use of ulcer medication, the excessive use of alcohol/amphetamines/heroin/methadone, hyperthyroidism, kidney or liver failure, tumors, the aging process, the buildup of fatty breast tissue, and many other conditions. Gynecomastia in men generally occurs between the ages of 50 and 80 and at least one in four men in this age group are affected. If you haven’t already, ask your physician to order lab work.
