National Risperdal Lawsuit Lawyers

In 1993, Risperdal was approved to treat irritability in children who were diagnosed with autism or ADHD. Since its approval, sales of Risperdal climbed to more than $4.5 billion a year and Risperdal was extraordinarily profitable for its manufacturers, Johnson & Johnson. Unfortunately, this high profit came at quite a cost. Several studies have pointed to a link between the use of Risperdal and abnormal male breast development. Now, numerous lawsuits are being filed across the country by hundreds of men who have suffered painfully after taking this antipsychotic drug.

The dangerous drug attorneys at Golomb & Honik are currently evaluating claims from men who were prescribed Risperdal and have suffered gynecomastia or other health related problems. If you or someone you love has developed male breast tissue after taking Risperdal, call us at 1-800-355-3300 or 1-215-985-9177 immediately to evaluate your case.

What is Risperdal?

Risperdal is an antipsychotic medication that was used to treat a variety of mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It was also used to treat irritability in children with autism and used off-label to treat ADHD. Risperdal works by targeting both the serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain.

Adverse Effects of Risperdal

Risperdal, like many antipsychotic medications, can cause a wide range of side effects, including:

• Gynecomastia – abnormal male breast tissue development
• Galactorrhea—flow of milk from breast
• Diabetes
• Strokes
• Cardiac arrest
• Tardive Dyskinesia – involuntary movements of fae and jaw
• Pancreatitis
• Suicidal thoughts

Abnormal breast tissue development has adversely affected the lives of hundreds of men who were prescribed Risperdal as children and teenagers. They have endured ridicule, depression, painful surgical procedures, mastectomies, liposuction, extreme pain in their breasts, and psychological trauma as a result of this defective drug. Sadly, it is alleged that Johnson & Johnson’s may have been aware of these adverse side effects years ago, but chose to conceal this knowledge from the general public.

Risperdal Studies and Lawsuits

Since it was approved, numerous scientific studies have linked the use of Risperdal with abnormal male breast development. In 2006, a study that was published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology found that children who were prescribed Risperdal developed high levels of prolactin, a hormone produced by women that leads to breast development and lactation.

With new light being shed on the dangers of Risperdal, Johnson & Johnson began settling individual Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits in 2012. Recently the U.S Department of Justice charged Johnson & Johnson with illegally promoting the use of Risperdal for children before it was actually approved for pediatric use. They also wanted Johnson & Johnson to admit that they failed to adequately acknowledge the side effects of their drug, including its potential to increase prolactin levels in small children and teenagers.