Four young men recently filed Risperdal lawsuits in the state court of Pennsylvania. Each Risperdal lawsuit was filed individually against Johnson & Johnson and their subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals, rather than as a Risperdal class action lawsuit. These four Risperdal lawsuits similarly allege that the plaintiffs developed gynecomastia as a result of taking the antipsychotic medication.

The four plaintiffs who reside in Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, and Ohio, were prescribed Risperdal as adolescents. While taking Risperdal, each of the adolescents allegedly began to develop male breasts. Male breast growth, scientifically known as gynecomastia, is an embarrassing condition that often requires surgery to correct.

According to these four Risperdal lawsuits, Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals failed to warn the medical community and the general public about the embarrassing side affects associated with taking Risperdal as an adolescent. One of the Risperdal attorneys representing these young men stated that when the parents of these adolescents gave medical professionals consent to prescribe Risperdal to their sons, they knew nothing of its potential devastating side effects.

According to one personal injury attorney who represents Risperdal patients, most Risperdal lawsuits claim that Johnson & Johnson manipulated clinical trials in order to influence results in favor of the medication. The Risperdal lawsuits also claim that the defendants failed to file accurate reports regarding adverse Risperdal side effects, and made false and misleading claims about the risks associated with the drug.

More About Risperdal

Risperdal, generically known as risperidone, is a popular antipsychotic medication often used to treat different mental/mood disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and irritability associated with autistic disorders. Risperdal use was approved to treat children with mood disorders by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) back in 2006. While medical professionals are unsure of exactly how Risperdal causes male breast growth, they believe that Risperdal increases the levels of the hormone prolactin, which traditionally stimulates breast growth in women. Adolescents who take Risperdal may be at risk of developing the following side effects: male breast growth, gynecomastia, painful breasts, nipple pain, and/or nipple discharge.

Overview of Risperdal Lawsuits

To date, Johnson & Johnson has paid billions of dollars in fines due to its aggressive marketing strategy. The pharmaceutical company has lost multiple Risperdal lawsuits filed by various state attorney generals. Multiple private Risperdal settlements have also occurred, the first one happening in November 2013.

Currently over 420 Risperdal lawsuits are pending in federal and state courts. These Risperdal lawsuits are generally brought by victims who have suffered undisclosed side effects from taking the medication. The Risperdal lawsuits typically claim that Johnson & Johnson violated consumer protection laws. Claims against the pharmaceutical company may include negligence, breach of warranty, fraud and deceit, strict products liability, and misrepresentation.

Victims bring these lawsuits in hopes of receiving compensation for past and future medical bills, as well as compensation for the pain, suffering, and embarrassment they have been forced to endure as a result of taking Risperdal. Whether or not a victim should file a Risperdal lawsuit individually or as part of a class action lawsuit is a decision that should be determined on a case by case basis by a qualified Risperdal attorney.