Risperdal makers Johnson & Johnson settled a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit that claimed the antipsychotic medication caused male breast growth just hours before opening arguments were supposed to begin.

Johnson & Johnson, as well as their subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals, faced accusations from California boy Christopher W. that Risperdal caused him to develop the medical condition gynecomastia commonly known as “man boobs.”

While attorneys have confirmed the Risperdal lawsuit has been settled, the terms remain confidential.

Had this Risperdal lawsuit gone to court it would have been the third time a Philadelphia jury would have to consider the arguments that Risperdal causes abnormal male breast growth.

In the first Risperdal lawsuit, the Philadelphia jury awarded $2.5 million to plaintiff Austin P. who claimed he developed breast growth after being prescribed Risperdal as a 7-year-old. The jury found that Johnson & Johnson failed to provide warnings that Risperdal could lead to male consumers developing man boobs.

In the second Risperdal lawsuit, the Philadelphia jury found that while the drug warnings were inadequate there was not enough evidence that plaintiff Billy C.’s gynecomastia condition was primarily caused by Risperdal. No financial compensation was awarded in that Risperdal lawsuit.

Risperdal Lawsuits

More than 1,300 lawsuits have been filed by male Risperdal consumers who allege the medication caused them to develop breasts as large as a 46DD cup size. Plaintiffs allege Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals failed to warn young men that they could develop so-called “man boobs” as a Risperdal side effect.

Risperdal has been used to treat numerous physiological conditions including: schizophrenia, mania, bipolar disorder and autism. It is even prescribed off label to treat ADHD and ADD. It was approved for pediatric use in 2006, but the side effects on children were widely unknown at the time. 

Since then studies have found that Risperdal may increase hormone levels of prolactin which is what stimulates breast growth in women.

Lawsuits allege the medication causes the following Risperdal complications:

• Breast pain
• Nipple pain
• Breast tissue growth
• Nipple discharge
• Breast milk production

Plaintiffs claim that the breast growth does not go away even after discontinuing use of Risperdal. In some cases, consumers allege they had to undergo surgery to remove the Risperdal breast tissue.

Johnson & Johnson have paid billions in Risperdal lawsuits and settlements yet they continue to stand by their product claiming breast developing is part of puberty and normal for boys. Risperdal plaintiffs dismiss those claims and further allege that the manufacturers intentionally hid the risk of developing male breast growth as a possible medication side effect.

Individuals who file a Risperdal lawsuit or join a Risperdal class action lawsuit are seeking financial compensation for what they claim is a highly embarrassing medical condition that they were unaware was even a possibility.

The next Risperdal lawsuit trial that is part of the mass tort in Philadelphia is set to begin on June 22.

The Risperdal Gynecomastia Lawsuit is Case No. 130301812, in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.