Risperdal Lawsuits

Side effects of Risperdal may increase the risk of breast growth among young boys, causing devastating and life-changing consequences. 

RISPERDAL LAWSUIT STATUS: A number of young men and families are pursuing a Risperdal lawsuit after boys developed breasts while taking the medication, a condition known as gynecomastia. Risperdal gynecomastia lawyers are reviewing cases for individuals throughout the United States.

>>CONTACT A RISPERDAL LAWYER ABOUT BREAST GROWTH<<

MANUFACTURER: Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals

OVERVIEW: Risperdal (risperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic drug used primarily for the treatment of schizophrenia. While Risperdal was originally only approved for use among adults with schizophrenia, the antipsychotic was widely prescribed off-label, including for use among children with bi-polar disorders, autism, irritability, aggression and behavior disorders.

While the FDA did not approve Risperdal as safe or effective for children until 2006, Johnson & Johnson subsidiaries illegally promoted the drug for such off-label use for years before that. As a result of the illegal marketing efforts, Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay pillions to settle lawsuits brought by states, the U.S. government and individual patients.

A number of male children who received Risperdal have suffered the abdnormal development of breasts, or enlarged mammary glands. Known as gynecomastia, this condition not only causes severe embarrasment and disruption to a young boys quality of life, but also results in the need for breast removal surgery in many cases.

RISPERDAL BREAST GROWTH PROBLEMS: Risperdal side effects may cause boys to experience an increase in the amount of the hormone prolactin, according to allegations raised in complaints filed throughout the country. While prolactin induces and maintains lactation among women following child birth, it may cause boys taking Risperdal to develop gynecomastia or breast growth problems.

Symptoms of Risperdal breast growth could include:

• Puffy or Enlarged Nipples
• Painful Breasts
• Nipple Discharge
• Development of Enlarged Breasts

As a result of the known risk of weight gain associated with Risperdal, many doctors may have failed to recognize or diagnose gynecomastia, resulting in continued exposure to Risperdal.

GYNECOMASTIA LAWSUITS FOR RISPERDAL: According to allegations raised in Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits, Johnson & Johnson failed to adequately research the side effects of their popular antipsychotic medication or warn about the risk of boys developing breasts.

In some cases, plaintiffs indicate that male users of Risperdal grew breasts as large as a 38D cup, and many had to undergo a mastectomy or breast reduction surgery.

It has been reported that Risperdal settlement agreements have been reached in a number of cases.

Additionally, several large verdicts have been returned by juries in Philadelphia who considered evidence surrounding Johnson & Johnson’s research and marketing decisions concerning the drug. In July 2016, the family of a five year old Tennessee boy was awarded $70 million in damages, with other prior verdicts including $500,000 in December 2015, $1.75 million in November 2015 and $2.5 million in February 2015.

The largest to date was an $8 billion verdict handed down in October 2019 by a Philadelphia jury; almost all of which was punitive damages. The size of the verdict became possible after the state Supreme Court cleared the way for punitive damages in the cases in January 2018. Still, the massive verdict is likely to be reduced by a future ruling.

In late November 2020, hundreds of cases were reinstated after previously having been time-barred by Pennsylvania statute of limitation laws, leaving it to juries to decide when plaintiffs knew or should have known about the link between the drug and male breast growth.