01 July 2020 
Anytime a patient chooses to use medication to treat a condition, there are potential side effects that may accompany the drug’s promised benefits. These side effects are sometimes disclosed clearly and up front. Unfortunately, in other cases, the risk of potentially adverse side effects may not be communicated as well to the patient. One such example involves the use of the antipsychotic drug Risperdal. This drug is used to treat such conditions as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism related irritability. The drug is accompanied by a lengthy list of “warnings and precautions,” “adverse reactions,” and “drug reactions.” However, not all of the potentially harmful side effects are clearly disclosed.
Five Facts About Risperdal Use and Lactation
One harmful side effect that is not clearly acknowledged on Risperdal packaging is the risk of nipple discharge or lactation. The following is an overview of this potential issue:
- When the nipples of a male or female excrete a milky discharge that is not related to breastfeeding, this is known as galactorrhea.
- Galactorrhea is often a sign of an underlying problem. This is especially true when it is exhibited in men and children.
- Risperdal causes this nipple discharge by elevating the levels of prolactin in the blood. This is known as hyperprolactinemia.
- Hyperprolactinemia is listed under the “Warnings and Precautions” for Risperdal use; however, it is buried deep within the prescribing information for the medication.
- Boys as young as age four who have taken Risperdal have reported experiencing galactorrhea after using the drug.
Victims who took Risperdal without fully understanding the potential risks may later find themselves experiencing nipple lactation. These victims may also be entitled to compensation for their suffering. We are here to help. We encourage you to check out our many case results to learn more about how we have helped many other clients protect their legal rights after taking a dangerous drug.
