Risperdal® (Risperidone)
An anti-psychotic drug manufactured by Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Risperdal was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993 to treat patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Risperdal, whose generic equivalent is risperidone, is also prescribed to patients with bi-polar disorder, autism, and ADHD. One of the drug’s side effects is male breast growth, especially among adolescent patients.
It has been alleged that research into Risperdal side effects was inadequate on the part of Janssen Pharmaceuticals. In fact, plaintiffs who have filed Risperdal lawsuits have made claims that Janssen executed a deceptive Risperdal marketing campaign that gave little weight to side effects such as male breast growth, or gynecomastia.
Some patients using Risperdal have demonstrated abnormally high levels of a hormone called prolactin, which is responsible for breast growth and lactation. It is believed that unusually high prolactin levels in adolescent male patients is the cause of breast tissue development.
According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology in 2006, researchers found that Risperdal triggers prolactin production to such an extreme that, in some cases, patients experience gynecomastia.
Additional side effects of Risperdal use in male adolescents include nipple discharge and severe pain. Oftentimes, as a direct result of the physical changes, male Risperdal patients with gynecomastia may poor psychological and emotional health.
To reverse the effects of gynecomastia, male Risperdal patients have undergone liposuction treatments or mastectomies.
Risperdal Lawsuit History
In 2012, Johnson & Johnson settled a case for an undisclosed amount involving plaintiff, Aaron Banks, who filed his lawsuit against the Risperdal manufacturer alleging that the drug resulted in gynecomastia. Banks used Risperdal over roughly a five year period, and during that time, underwent psychologically-damaging physical changes. Ultimately, Banks underwent breast removal surgery to reverse the effects of his Risperdal consumption during his adolescent years.
Also in 2012, Johnson & Johnson settled five Risperdal male breast growth lawsuits in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, again for an undisclosed amount.
In addition to the lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson over the link between Risperdal and male breast growth, plaintiffs have also filed lawsuits against the pharmaceutical giant for the deceptive strategy used to market Risperdal. In June 2011, a South Carolina court handed Johnson & Johnson a fine in the amount of $327 million for its misleading Risperdal marketing practices.
Carey Danis & Lowe is Here to Help
A national law firm practicing pharmaceutical litigation, Carey Danis & Lowe represents victims of defective drugs, including those individuals who have experienced adverse Risperdal side effects. Our defective drug lawyers are currently investigating Risperdal gynecomastia cases.
Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits targeted at Johnson & Johnson and Janssen seeking compensation for medical bills and emotional suffering. We encourage you to begin exploring your legal options and compensation eligibility in a free legal evaluation.
Our lawyers can also provide assistance in filing a Risperdal lawsuit.
If you have any questions about Risperdal use in adolescent males, Carey Danis & Lowe has a team of on-staff medical professionals who can discuss Risperdal and its impact on patient health and safety.
Carey Danis & Lowe is available to listen to your Risperdal story today. Contact us by phone at 800.721.2519, or complete a confidential personal injury claim form.
Drug Information
Risperdal (Risperidone)
Manufacturer: Janssen Pharmaceuticals
FDA Approval: December 29, 1993 for irritability, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder
Generic Availability: June 30, 2008
Pregnancy Risk: Category C