The law firm involved in the bulk of the Risperdal lawsuits is gearing up for a critical meeting in the consolidated legal action.

A critical status conference is set for Dec. 2 for the Risperdal multidistrict litigation (MDL). At this meeting, representatives from both sides of the Risperdal litigation will meet and discuss matters related to the case with the judge.

The law firm coordinating numerous cases on the plaintiffs’ side of the MDL, Bernstein Liebhard LLP, said it is preparing for the conference. In MDLs, coordination conferences like this are critical to organize hundreds, or even thousands of Risperdal male breast growth lawsuits.

The various Risperdal lawsuits allege that the makers of Risperdal were aware — or reasonably should have been aware — of the risk of complications like gynecomastia associated with Risperdal.

These Risperdal lawsuits further allege that not only were the drug’s manufacturers aware of these risks, but that they actively over-promoted Risperdal in spite of these risks, putting numerous young men at the risk for male breast growth. These Risperdal lawsuits typically seek to recoup the cost of medical care, including reconstructive surgery, as well as compensation for emotional trauma and legal fees associated with the Risperdal lawsuits.

Risperdal is a drug that was originally designed to treat schizophrenia. It was believed that the drug would have fewer side effects than earlier-generation schizophrenia drugs, which had debilitating sedation effects. Like many psychiatric drugs, it was later discovered that Risperdal could treat other disorders, and eventually the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug to treat bipolar disorder and irritability and aggression associated with autism.

However, various research studies have indicated that Risperdal can increase the risk of a condition called gynecomastia, or more informally, “man boobs.” Studies have indicated that Risperdal can elevate the levels of progestin in the blood.

Under normal conditions, progestin is a hormone that promotes breast growth in females. However, when the hormone appears in elevated levels in males, it can cause male breast growth or gynecomastia, a condition in which males develop female-like breasts.

This condition is traumatizing to any male, let alone one already suffering from schizophrenia or autism. Additionally, Risperdal is known to increase the risk of obesity, possibly partially cloaking gynecomastia.

The makers of Risperdal are facing hundreds of lawsuits alleging that the drug causes male breast growth. The court system has a protocol in place allowing them to group numerous similar lawsuits, like the various Risperdal lawsuits, into a single coordinated legal action called multidistrict litigation, or MDL.

MDLs help streamline the legal system by combing similar Risperdal lawsuits, avoiding duplication of testimony and evidence. More than 950 individual Risperdal lawsuits have been grouped into the Risperdal MDL.