In the largest award seen thus far, a Pennsylvania judge refused Johnson & Johnson’s request to throw out a $70 million Risperdal gynecomastia verdict.

A boy named Andrew started taking Risperdal to treat psychiatric problems in 2003. Risperdal is manufactured by Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals division.

Its primary use is to treat schizophrenia, but it is also used for bipolar disorder and autism.

Andrew filed suit in 2013, alleging he had developed abnormally large breasts, a condition known as gynecomastia.

This Risperdal gynecomastia verdict is from one of several consolidated lawsuits in Philadelphia court. Many have resulted in jury verdicts, but until Andrew’s $70 million, a $2.5 million award had reigned as the largest.

Risperdal Gynecomastia Verdict Based on Science

Risperdal works by blocking dopamine receptors. A side effect is the person experiences higher levels of prolactin, a hormone made by the pituitary gland. Pregnant women have high levels of prolactin, which helps produce breast milk.

Prolactin levels that are normally low in men can cause hyperprolactinemia when elevated. Hyperprolactinemia results in man boobs, medically known as gynecomastia.

When Risperdal causes gynecomastia in men and boys, these breasts might even produce a milky white discharge.

The New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority reported that more than 90 percent of patients on Risperdal experience elevated prolactin levels.

And even though Risperdal can cause weight gain, losing weight will not necessarily decrease the size of the man boobs. When Risperdal causes gynecomastia, the increase in breast size includes not only fatty tissue, but glandular tissue as well. With such a high concentration of dense tissue, only surgery can reduce breast size.

Dad Says Risperdal Gynecomastia Verdict Justified

Andrew began taking Risperdal when he was only five years old. As he developed breasts, Andrew’s father testified the boy suffered teasing by peers who told him he needed a bra and bullying by others who flicked his breasts.

According to a recently released quarterly report from Johnson & Johnson, the company is fighting more than 12,000 Risperdal-related claims. This recent Risperdal gynecomastia verdict can only help the plaintiffs in those cases.

The FDA approved Risperdal to treat schizophrenia in 2002, but it was not approved for children until 2006.

Janssen is accused of promoting Risperdal for children from 1999 to 2005, before the FDA approved it for use in youth.

As a result, Johnson and Johnson and Janssen paid upwards of $2.2 billion to resolve criminal investigations into the marketing of Risperdal and other drugs in 2013.

The Risperdal Gynecomastia Lawsuit is Case No. 1304002094, in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.