Amanda Antell  |  May 31, 2016

Category: Legal News

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Risperdal side effects settlementSources say the parties in a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit recently reached a confidential settlement in a case originally set to go to trial in May 2016.

Plaintiff Robert M. alleged that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn him against Risperdal side effects including gynecomastia, or male breast growth.

The recently settled case was set to be the fourth in a series of bellwether trials over alleged Risperdal side effects. Each of these Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits have been filed in Pennsylvania and California state courts.

Over the past couple of years, the verdicts for the previous bellwether cases in Pennsylvania state court resulted in verdicts of $2.5 million, $1.75 million, and $500,000 for the plaintiffs. Several more bellwether trials are scheduled for upcoming months.

Even though the litigation has so far ended favorably for the plaintiffs, Johnson & Johnson insists their medication is safe for young boys and denies the allegations of male breast growth.

Robert’s case is one of thousands pending across the country, with Johnson & Johnson and subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals facing thousands of Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits filed over the past ten years.

Overview of Risperdal Gynecomastia

Originally approved by the FDA in 1993, Risperdal was approved to treat psychotic conditions in adult patients. Over a decade later Risperdal was approved to treat children in 2007, but only after a number of doctors had already prescribed the medication to children in off-label prescriptions.

While it is not illegal for physicians to prescribe medications for off label purposes, it is illegal for pharmaceutical companies to market the drug for that purpose.

Johnson & Johnson has been repeatedly criticized for not adequately explaining the Risperdal side effects young boys may experience while taking the medication.

Risperdal allegedly increases the production of prolactin in patients, which is the hormone responsible for breast growth in young girls. While young boys produce very little of it, Risperdal spurs the body to produce a large amount, resulting in male breast growth.

Former male Risperdal patients have reported growing breasts as large as D-cup, with some cases of lactation and nipple discharge. Oftentimes the excess breast tissue has to be surgically removed, and patients are left with psychological trauma as well as physical scars.

Many former Risperdal patients allege the company knew about the Risperdal side effects, and that male breast growth was a definite risk. Johnson & Johnson has repeatedly denied these allegations and asserts that the medication is safe and effective to use.

Patients who have suffered from Risperdal side effects such as gynecomastia may be eligible to take legal action against Johnson & Johnson, and should contact a specialized lawyer to discuss their situation.

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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Join a Free Invega or Risperdal Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you or your son took Invega or 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.

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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.