A New York man alleging that he suffered gynecomastia from Risperdal use has been granted a Risperdal jury award of $1 million.

The plaintiff, Shaquil B., was still a child when he was first prescribed the antipsychotic Risperdal. He used the medication from 2001 through 2008. As a result, his lawsuit claims, he developed a condition known as gynecomastia, or male breast growth.

Shaquil’s gynecomastia was so extreme that not only did he develop the condition’s signature female-like breasts, but he even began lactating. These extreme physical changes required bilateral breast reduction and removal surgery to treat.

Now an adult, Shaquil turned to litigation for justice. His lawsuit led to the $1 million Risperdal jury award as compensatory damages for his pain and suffering and medical expenses.

This is not the only Johnson & Johnson lawsuit that has led to a substantial Risperdal jury award. In 2013, the pharmaceutical giant also agreed to a settlement of over $2.2 billion to settle several criminal and civil allegations, among which were that it illegally marketed Risperdal for unapproved treatments for children.

Risperdal Background

Risperdal (also known by its generic name, risperidone) is a widely used antipsychotic. It is also marketed as risperidone and Invega.

Risperdal was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) back in 1993 as a treatment for schizophrenia. In the years since, Risperdal has also been approved for the treatment of bipolar mania, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and certain symptoms of autism, making it one of the most popular antipsychotics available.

Risperdal is an atypical antipsychotic, a group of drugs that work to treat conditions by helping to restore the balance of various natural substances in the brain. Despite the undeniable popularity of Risperdal, many who have used the drug have begun filing lawsuits, alleging that it can cause serious complications like gynecomastia.

Risperdal Side Effects

Any medication has certain minor side effects, and Risperdal is no exception. Mild side effects of Risperdal include involuntary motion, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, nausea, and skin rashes, all of which mild enough that they should go away on their own without further treatment.

Unfortunately, Risperdal has more serious side effects as well. Hundreds of boys and young men who have been prescribed Risperdal have developed male breast growth as a side effect of the medication. In some cases, boys gained such excessive breast tissue that the breasts grew to be the size of “D” cups.

For some, like Shaquil, this condition may even go so far as to cause lactation. Breast growth from Risperdal became such an issue in the daily lives of some of these young men that they ended up undergoing surgery to remove excess tissue.

Seeking a Risperdal Jury Award

Hundreds of families have filed lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturer, alleging that patients have been affected by these serious Risperdal long term side effects. These lawsuits allege that the company failed to adequately warn the public and the medical community about the risk of gynecomastia linked with their antipsychotic medication.

If you or someone you love has experienced gynecomastia side effects, you may be able to file a Risperdal lawsuit. While filing a lawsuit cannot undo the effects of gynecomastia, a Risperdal jury award can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses.

The Risperdal Lawsuit is Case No. 1:14-cv-00820, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.