The parents of an autistic child who took Risperdal for five years won a multi-million dollar Risperdal lawsuit after it was determined that the drug caused the child to develop gynecomastia, also known as male breast growth. This is one of many lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals concerning Risperdal gynecomastia, though the first to receive a verdict.

Risperdal has been linked to the male breast growth in several cases concerning young boys and adults. Risperdal also allegedly promotes a hormone in the body that causes breast growth in females.

Initially, Risperdal was only approved for use in adults. When plaintiff Austin P. began to take Risperdal to treat his autism in 2002, he was only 7 years old. Austin used the drug for five years and allegedly developed Risperdal gynecomastia as a result.

Risperdal complications may include male breast growth, breast pain, nipple discharge, and other related side effects.

This Risperdal lawsuit claimed that roughly 20 percent of the Risperdal prescriptions were given to children and adolescents, even though the drug was not yet approved for use in children. Austin’s doctor was allegedly given many samples of Risperdal during the early 2000s.

Risperdal’s label initially stated that Risperdal complications such as gynecomastia were rare. Yet when the drug was eventually approved for treating behavioral disorders in children, the label was changed to include the risk of Risperdal gynecomastia.

The Risperdal lawsuit was brought before a jury in the Philadelphia Country Court of Common Pleas. The trial took a month to complete with a favorable verdict for Austin P. and his family. The family was awarded $2.5 million in damages.

Risperdal Lawsuit Allegations

The Risperdal lawsuit accused Johnson & Johnson of marketing the drug improperly for unapproved purposes and for failing to warn against Risperdal gynecomastia. Johnson & Johnson and Janssen have also been accused of hiding the evidence that suggested Risperdal complications might include gynecomastia.

Former FDA commissioner David Kessler gave testimony during the trial that said Johnson & Johnson intentionally tried to limit the knowledge concerning Risperdal and male breast growth. This statement fits the fact that Johnson & Johnson paid a multi-billion dollar settlement after admitting to criminal misconduct. The Risperdal manufacturer allegedly had a habit of giving doctors kickbacks and promoted several drugs, including Risperdal, for off-label use.

This was the first verdict to be reached in a Risperdal lawsuit. Only one juror was opposed to the verdict. Hundreds of additional Risperdal lawsuits with claims concerning male breast growth are currently pending against the manufacturer in federal and state courts. Over 1,200 Risperdal lawsuits are pending in Philadelphia alone and over 700 have been filed in Los Angeles.

This Risperdal Lawsuit is Case No. 120401997, in the Court of Common Pleas of the State of Pennsylvania in the County of Philadelphia.