Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals lost its motion to overturn a $2.5 million jury verdict that found its antipsychotic drug Risperdal caused adolescent boys to suffer male breast growth.

The Philadelphia judge upheld the award and also rejected bids for re-trial from both sides of the claim.

Risperdal, known generically as risperidone, is approved to treat symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and irritability with autism.

Plaintiff Austin P.’s lawsuit claimed he took Risperdal for autism beginning in 2002, and that Janssen knew at that time that Risperdal could cause gynecomastia, a condition in which boys and young men develop female breast tissue.

Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Ramy I. Djerassi disagreed with Janssen’s argument that permitting new expert testimony during the bellwether trial biased the jury against the pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Janssen further presented arguments that the verdict was excessive because the award was primarily based on Austin’s mother’s testimony which detailed her son’s experiences after his male breast growth.

Judge Djerassi also denied the plaintiff’s motion for a new trial based seeking to hold Janssen liable for punitive damages, stating that New Jersey law does not allow for recovery of punitive damages.

This lawsuit is one of 1,500 Risperdal lawsuits filed in a mass tort litigation and is the third trial Janssen has lost so far.

In December, a jury awarded $500,000 to a Wisconsin man who allegedly suffered breast growth after taking Risperdal.

One month prior another jury handed down a $1.75 million verdict to a Maryland man who was prescribed Risperdal at the age of 9. That verdict was eventually reduced to $680,000.

Risperdal Overview

Risperdal was initially approved by the FDA in 1993 to treat extreme mental disorders in adult patients, most commonly for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Its approval was then expanded to treat pediatric and adolescent patients in 2006 for autism and ADHD.

Unfortunately, what makes Risperdal work is also what can cause its side effects. It works by altering the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, but it can also cause a number of complications brought on by the abnormal levels of hormones in the body.

Risperdal and Gynecomastia

One of main complications of Risperdal is male breast growth or gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is the enlargement of breast tissue in males, particularly adolescent males.

Risperdal greatly increases levels of prolactin, a hormone that stimulates production of milk in pregnant women. This increase may be one reason that boys taking these drugs may experience abnormal breast growth.

The breast tissue is non-cancerous and poses no physical health risks; however, the psychological and social injuries can be devastating — especially when gynecomastia affects adolescent males.

Many doctors recommend surgery to reduce breast tissue. In mild or moderate cases, liposuction may be an effective option. In severe cases, however, a surgical procedure called a mastectomy may be necessary to remove breast tissue and excess skin.

Studies Link Risperdal to Male Breast Growth

A number of studies have indicated that use of Risperdal may cause male breast growth.

In 2006, one such study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology found that the use of risperidone in children was associated with excessive levels of the hormone prolactin, which is tied to female breast development and lactation.

Three years later, research published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology revealed that these high levels of prolactin could persist for as many as two years.

According to researchers, symptoms of male breast growth associated with Risperdal may include:

• Swollen breast tissue
• Tenderness in the breast
• Pain in the breast
• Nipple discharge from one or both breasts

Filing a Risperdal Breast Growth Lawsuit

If you or someone you know has taken Risperdal and has suffered the serious side effect of male breast growth as a result of using this defective drug, a lawsuit against the drug company may be a valid option for you to seek compensation for hospital bills, surgical expenses, mental trauma, loss of income or productivity, pain and suffering and more.