The family of an autistic man who developed large male breasts after taking the antipsychotic drug Risperdal as a child won $2.5 million in damages from the pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson.

The trial was the first in thousands of Risperdal lawsuits that have been filed against the drug maker for the side effects of Risperdal, the mental illness medication that was once its biggest-seller, with worldwide sales of nearly $25 billion from 2003 to 2010, before the company lost patent protection.

The Philadelphia jury concluded that Johnson & Johnson and its Janssen Pharmaceuticals unit failed to issue proper warnings that Risperdal could cause gynecomastia, or abnormal male breast growth.

The Risperdal Gynecomastia lawsuit was brought by the family of Austin P., a young Alabama man who grew size 46DD breasts after he was prescribed Risperdal for five years as a child. He began taking the drug at age 8. At the time, Risperdal wasn’t FDA-approved for children, and its label stated risk was “low” for gynecomastia (the condition in which men’s breasts grow larger).

After the verdict was reached, a Johnson & Johnson representative insisted that the company had issued adequate warnings about possible Risperdal side effects in the medication’s label and said it was considering an appeal.

But the jury heard evidence that the drug-maker hid data from doctors and parents that a much higher percentage of children were developing gynecomastia than the company admitted.

Risperdal Gynecomastia

It has been alleged that Risperdal may increase levels of prolactin, a hormone which stimulates breast development in women. Young boys who have taken prolactin and are displaying increased levels of this hormone may develop male breasts, the growth of which is scientifically referred to as gynecomastia. Boys who have developed gynecomastia may experience pain or nipple discharge.

Research has surfaced supporting allegations that Risperdal may cause the development of breasts in young males. A study published in a 2006 issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology stated that risperidone, which is the generic of Risperdal, “administered to adolescents at doses commonly used for the treatment of psychotic symptoms can strongly increase prolactin levels, with clinical consequences such as gynecomastia.”

The study also indicated that because the long-term effects of Risperdal side effects are not well-documented with particular regard to growth and a delay in puberty, the drug should be prescribed with caution to children and adolescents.

Young boys who have developed male breasts as result of Risperdal use can suffer severe psychological trauma. As a result, many doctors have reportedly recommended that adolescent males who suffer from gynecomastia undergo surgery. Mild cases can be resolved with liposuction, while more severe cases, like Austin’s, require a mastectomy.

Risperdal Lawsuits

This Risperdal trial was closely followed by lawyers who have prepared up to 3,000 Risperdal lawsuits across the country. Some cases have been settled out of court with undisclosed terms.

In a separate case brought by federal officials and state prosecutors, Johnson & Johnson agreed in to pay $2.2 billion in 2013 to resolve allegations that it illegally marketed Risperdal to children and the elderly. The Risperdal settlement was one of the largest health-fraud cases in history.