Like many psychiatric medications, the drug Risperdal was initially created for one disease, but may help treat others. Though it was created to treat schizophrenia, it was found to be helpful — and eventually approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an additional use — as a treatment for autism. However, a recent report details the serious risks that go along with the medication.
A report by the Simons Foundation for Autism Research Initiative was published in early May and details the side effects of concern for Risperdal. While pointing out the positives of the drug, such as being able to reduce irritability and aggression associated with autism, the report also side effects that are serious enough that the benefits may not outweigh the risks for some patients and parents.
Among the side effects were weight gain. Weight gain during childhood can increase a person’s risk of developing type-2 diabetes. Additionally, it can hide another concerning possible side effect: male breast growth.
Risperdal has been linked to a condition called gynecomastia, or male breast growth. This is particularly common in patients who took the drug as children or teenagers. It can be embarrassing and socially stigmatizing for a young male to grow female-like breasts. This side effect has led to Risperdal lawsuits.
A multidistrict litigation or MDL is proposed for Risperdal patients. An MDL is a type of group lawsuit, similar to the more familiar class action lawsuit. Both class action lawsuits and MDLs allow a group of patients to seek legal action against the same defendant over similar alleged harm. Group lawsuits like class action lawsuits and MDLs are designed to save time, money, and other resources for all parties involved. The plaintiffs can pool the cost of their legal action, the defendants only have to face a single lawsuit, and the court system only has to try a single case.
The main difference between class action lawsuits and MDLs is that class action lawsuits typically start as a group lawsuit, while MDLs start as individual lawsuits which are later coordinated into a single lawsuit. This makes MDLs more common in drug lawsuits, since the individuals filing drug lawsuits are typically scattered across the country. Instead, similar individual drug suits can be later coordinated into an MDL after they are filed.
The proposed Risperdal MDL is In Re: Risperdal Litigation, Case No. 100300296, in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
In general, Risperdal lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.
Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or class action lawsuit is best for you. Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.
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If you or your son took 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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