A Connecticut state prisoner is suing Janssen Pharmaceuticals, claiming Janssen’s drug Risperdal caused him to suffer personal injuries including enlarged breasts and vision problems.

Plaintiff Gary D. claims that his federal rights were violated when a prison employee prescribed him Risperdal, also known by the generic name risperdone, to treat his bipolar disorder. He representing himself in this Risperdal lawsuit, under a prisoner civil rights statute.

According to Gary, upon his incarceration at Garner Correctional Facility in February 2012, he was prescribed Risperdal. He claims that by taking the antipsychotic drug, he experienced Risperdal side effects including male breast growth and blurred vision and was subsequently diagnosed with extremely high prolactin levels and gynecomastia in March 2014.

As a result, he had to undergo plastic surgery to remove soft tissue from his chest, leaving him with 10 inch scars on both sides of his chest.  Additionally, he claims the damage Risperdal caused to his eyes requires him to wear glasses in order to see and to put eye drops in his eyes at least three times a day.

Gary further claims he is also dealing with the severe trauma from Risperdal side effects as the alleged male breast growth caused him to experience extreme humiliation. He is seeking restitution in the amount of $1.5 million for the emotional, mental, and physical injury that Risperdal side effects allegedly caused him.

The Risperdal Side Effects Lawsuit, filed Dec. 9, 2015, is Case No. 3:10-cv-01529-AVC, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.

Risperdal Side Effects & Complications

Risperdal was initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993 to treat adult patients with extreme mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The FDA expanded its approval in 2006, opening the way to prescribe pediatric and adolescent patients Risperdal for autism and ADHD.

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

Risperdal side effects include:

• Breast development in males (gynecomastia)
• Movement disorders
• Diabetes
• Heart problems
• Death

Gynecomastia is one of the most commonly reported side effects, and one that many patients claim they were inadequately warned about. Gynecomastia is the development of breasts in males, which can cause severe psychological trauma in males, as well as breast pain or nipple discharge.

The Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology published a study in 2006 concluding that “Risperidone administered to adolescents at doses commonly used for the treatment of psychotic symptoms can strongly increase prolactin levels, with clinical consequences such as gynecomastia and/or galactorrhea.”

If you’re a male who took Risperdal and experienced male breast growth, man boobs, gynecomastia, painful breasts, nipple pain and/or nipple discharge, you may qualify to pursue compensation for your injuries.  An experienced attorney can help you decide if filing a Risperdal lawsuit is the best course of action.