Meredith Friesen  |  November 20, 2014

Category: Legal News

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RisperdalHundreds of product liability lawsuits have accused Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals of concealing important risks associated with Risperdal side effects on boys. Allegedly, Risperdal has caused the development of gynecomastia (male breast growth) and other associated complications in some male users. Recently, Patriot Pharmaceuticals LLC (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals unit) was also listed as a defendant in a Risperdal lawsuit.

Risperdal lawsuits have claimed that the popular antipsychotic drug may cause the body to produce more prolactin than normal. Prolactin is a hormone that more commonly associated with female breast growth and lactation. However, Risperdal has allegedly caused male breast growth in men and boys who have used Risperdal through the suggested prolactin increase.

Nearly 1000 Risperdal lawsuits have already been filed in Pennsylvania federal court alone, and it is expected that more will follow. Risperdal gynecomastia lawyers continue to hear from men and the parents of young boys who allegedly experienced male breast growth due to Risperdal use.

Risperdal Lawsuits

Risperdal lawsuits suggest that the defendants marketed the drug improperly, encouraging unapproved uses. In November 2013, a Risperdal lawsuit accused Johnson & Johnson and Janssen of improperly marketing the drug for use in children in addition to concealing Risperdal side effects. The defendants payed $2.2 billion in Risperdal settlements but did not admit to any wrongdoing. Accusations from Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit plaintiffs include charges of negligence, false advertising, concealing information, and product misrepresentation.

Johnson & Johnson has already lost three class action lawsuits claiming that they concealed the side effects of Risperdal and also their new antipsychotic medication Invega. Billions have been won in Risperdal lawsuits.

Risperdal Gynecomastia

Risperdal was approved in 1993 to treat schizophrenia in adults and adolescents. In, 2006 it was approved to treat autism and bipolar disorder in children. Millions of people have been prescribed Risperdal, making it an extremely profitable drug for Johnson & Jonson and Janssen.

Gynecomastia can be extremely painful and embarrassing. While it is not physically dangerous, it can cause psychological or emotional problems. This is especially concerning due to the psychological reason Risperdal is prescribed in the first place. Gynecomastia is triggered by, according the the Mayo Clinic, “a decrease in the amount of the hormone testosterone compared with estrogen.” Medications, such as Risperdal, have the ability to affect these hormone levels.

High prolactin levels can lead to the development gynecomastia. Symptoms of gynecomastia include excessive breast tissue growth, pain and swelling in the breasts, and nipple discharge. Surgery is sometimes required in order to remove the breast tissue. 

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology supports these findings and suggested Risperdal “should be administered with caution to children and adolescents.”

Hundreds of Risperdal lawsuits have been filed which claim that Risperdal can lead to the development of gynecomastia. Johnson & Johnson, Janssen, and now Patriot Pharmaceuticals LLC, are under investigation for the allegations made against their popular antipsychotic drug. The defendants are accused of hiding Risperdal side effects from the public.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The Risperdal attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or Risperdal class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, Risperdal lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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If you or your son took Risperdal between the ages of 10 and 18 years old and suffered gynecomastia (male breast growth), male breast pain, nipple pain, or nipple discharge, you may be entitled to compensation. See if you qualify by submitting your information below for a free and confidential case review.

An attorney will contact you if you qualify to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you.

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Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.