In one of the most recent updates to the Risperdal litigation, the number of Risperdal lawsuits has doubled to 5,800 claims in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

The number doubled during the first half of 2017, with Risperdal litigation lawyers expecting the amount to potentially triple by the end of the year. The lawyers further stated that this was a significant increase in Risperdal lawsuits, with 3,600 new claims being filed in the Risperdal litigation since January 2017.

Judge Arnold New is presiding over the Risperdal claims, confirming the Risperdal litigation mass tort is the largest in the system. At this time, a maximum of 10 Risperdal trials are scheduled to begin in Philadelphia between the end of 2017 and the first half of 2018.

This may change, depending on whether or not Risperdal lawyers negotiate a settlement. The number of Risperdal lawsuits reportedly increased after several jury awards ended in the plaintiff’s favor, with Johnson & Johnson required to pay compensation.

One of the most recent Risperdal settlements came in July 2016, in which the plaintiff’s family was awarded $70 million in damages. Several other Risperdal claims had ended in confidential out of court settlements before the trial phase could start.

Each of the claims in the Risperdal litigation alleges Johnson & Johnson had aggressively marketed the medication while failing to disclose important drug safety information. Johnson & Johnson would market the drug towards young children to treat certain mental disorders, which ultimately caused them to develop gynecomastia or male breast growth, according to plaintiffs.

Overview of Risperdal Complications

Risperdal was approved by the FDA in the early 1990s, initially for adult treatment of extreme mental disorders like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Risperdal works by leveling the dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain, which is supposed to produce ideal balance.

The medication was later approved for pediatric use in the mid 2000s to treat similar mental disorders and certain forms of autism. However Johnson & Johnson reportedly marketed the drug for use in children before that approval, which allegedly resulted in numerous cases of young boys developing gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia is the development of male breast growth, attributed to a serious imbalance of prolactin in the body. Prolactin is the hormone responsible for breast development in young girls, and is naturally produced in small amounts in young boys.

Researchers believe that because of its effect on the pituitary gland, Risperdal causes prolactin levels to significantly increase. Oftentimes, young boys had to undergo surgery to remove the unwanted breast tissue and have sustained long term emotional damage from the stigma of having male breasts.

Johnson & Johnson reportedly began illegally marketing the drug for pediatric use, after discovering doctors were prescribing the drug for off label treatment purposes. While it is not illegal for doctors to prescribe a medication for off label purposes, it is illegal for companies to market drugs for those purposes.

Patients who may have experienced Risperdal gyencomastia may be eligible to join the Risperdal litigation. Potential claimants can contact a product liability lawyer to determine eligibility.