On Jan. 12, a Pennsylvania judge held a meeting regarding gynecomastia side effect allegations brought forth all the Risperdal lawsuits filed within the state courts of Pennsylvania. During this meeting, the judge met with Risperdal lawyers representing thousands of Risperdal plaintiffs to discuss the cases awaiting formal trial.

According to the numerous Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits, many young men and boys have developed gynecomastia as an alleged result of taking Risperdal, a popular antipsychotic drug. Over 1,000 Risperdal lawsuits have similarly claimed that Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Johnson & Johnson failed to adequately warn consumers against Risperdal gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia is a condition that causes young men and boys to develop man boobs. Some experienced more male breast growth than others with some individuals allegedly developing large cup sizes. Many gynecomastia patients must undergo surgery in order to reduce breast size. Some have experienced scarring and other injuries from the surgery. It is a potentially embarrassing condition and can cause psychological injuries to the boys and young men affected by Risperdal gynecomastia. This is especially disconcerting for Risperdal users, as the patients are already taking the drug to manage psychological conditions.

Many young men and boys have complained of Risperdal gynecomastia side effects, claiming that the drug caused male breast growth and further alleging that Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals failed to warn them against gynecomastia risks.

There are about 1,2000 Risperdal lawsuits filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas alone. It is expected that some of these cases will go to court in a series of bellwether trials scheduled to begin later in 2015. Bellwether trials are a few representative trials selected to help both plaintiffs and defendants gauge the response of a jury, in addition to helping all parties know what evidence and testimony may be used. While the outcome of these bellwether trials will not determine the outcome of every Risperdal lawsuit, it may help negotiations for a Risperdal settlement.

This is not the first time that Johnson & Johnson has been under investigation for Risperdal gynecomastia. In 2012, several Risperdal lawsuits were scheduled to begin. However, Johnson & Johnson agreed to a Risperdal settlement instead.

Risperdal

Risperdal was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat autism and bipolar disorder in children in 2006. Many young men and boys allegedly soon began to develop unknown Risperdal side effects.

One Risperdal study published in 2006 suggested that Risperdal use could lead to gynecomastia. Risperdal can cause an increase in prolactin levels which can lead to male breast growth. The researchers suggested, “[Risperdal] should be administered with caution to children and adolescents,” due to the fact that Risperdal side effects were not well studied at that time.

Some Risperdal side effects may include:

• Male breast growth
• Man boobs
• Gynecomastia
• Painful brasts
• Nipple pain
• Nipple discharge

Johnson & Johnson has lost several Risperdal lawsuits and Risperdal class action lawsuits. Billions have been paid in Risperdal settlements so far and many more Risperdal gynecomastia class action lawsuit investigations are currently underway.