Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals wants a $2.5 million jury award in a Risperdal lawsuit filed by a mother on behalf of her son to be reduced.

According to the Risperdal lawsuit, the woman’s son experienced breast growth, and suffered from “mental anguish and permanent disfigurement.” Plaintiff Benita P. alleged that her son’s physical condition directly resulted from his use of Risperdal.

Benita’s son, Austin, was prescribed the drug when he was seven years old to help manage his autism, but developed gynecomastia (male breast growth) during his five years of Risperdal treatment. The family filed the Risperdal lawsuit against Janssen in April 2012 claiming that the boy had started to experience breast growth.

Risperdal was not officially approved to treat children until 2006. It was first approved by the FDA in 1993 to treat adults with mental disorders including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Janssen Pharmaceuticals was accused of advertising Risperdal for the off-label purpose of treating children after it became popular for use on pediatric patients. It is illegal for pharmaceutical companies to advertise drugs for unapproved purposes.

Risperdal Gynecomastia Allegations

Austin and his family were awarded $2.5 million in February 2015 after the jury found that Janssen Pharmaceuticals failed to warn the family against adverse Risperdal side effects. However, Janssen Pharmaceuticals is disputing the award, saying the amount does not match with the plaintiff’s case.

Janssen’s attorneys took issue over Austin’s claims of pain and suffering, and whether the judge’s decision to bring an expert witness during mid-trial provided an unfair advantage. Janssen spokeswoman Robyn Reed Frenze says her company believes a new trial is in order.

Frenze also says that Austin’s physician was aware that gynecomastia was a potential Risperdal side effect. The case is one of 1,500 Risperdal lawsuits pending in a mass tort program in the Philadelphia court of Common Pleas.

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