Risperdal has long been associated with a condition called gynecomastia, which is essentially male breast growth. The antipsychotic drug has been named in close to 1,300 Risperdal lawsuits that claim the drug manufacturer failed to warn consumers about the drug’s negative side effects.

Risperdal was approved for use in children in 2006 as an autism or bipolar disorder treatment. Since then, it has become evident that the drug has serious side effects including male breast growth, or man boobs.

While gynecomastia is not deadly, it can be extremely embarrassing as well as painful. Many victims have had to undergo a mastectomy in order to remove their breasts. One Risperdal lawsuit was filed by a man who grow size 46DD breasts. Other Risperdal side effects may include painful breasts and nipples, and nipple discharge.

Victims of Risperdal complications may also suffer from psychological trauma as the condition can be embarrassing and demeaning. This, when combined with the condition that Risperdal was originally prescribed to treat, can result in extreme stress. 

Risperdal Warnings

In a 2008 FDA meeting, many medical professionals voiced their concern over Risperdal complications and the frequency with which the drug was prescribed. The FDA determined that the drug’s warning did not need to be strengthened, despite the numerous young boys who were experiencing male breast growth.

At the time, Johnson & Johnson claimed that their materials did not omit any information. Their information stated that 2.3% of the patients in the clinical trial developed Risperdal gynecomastia. However, other studies and the large number of complaints has suggested that true risk is significantly higher than that.

One researcher, P. Murali Doraiswamy, found that Risperdal may cause more cases of gynecomastia than any other antipsychotic. His research suggests that Risperdal gynecomastia made up 70% of all gynecomastia cases he examined during his study. 

Risperdal Lawsuits

Plaintiffs have accused Risperdal’s manufacturer Johnson & Johnson of knowing about the true nature of gynecomastia side effects, but failing to include the information on the warning label.

Already, Johnson & Johnson has paid millions of dollars in settlements to men or young boys who developed Risperdal gynecomastia after using the drug as a child. Plaintiffs may win compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by Risperdal gynecomastia.

Currently, a Risperdal gynecomastia class action lawsuit investigation is underway.