Risperdal is a drug that many people use to manage neurological problems such as schizophrenia and ADHD. However, many Riserpdal lawsuits have sprung up over the last several years due to an alarming condition that has occurred with many male patients – gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia, sometimes known as “man boobs,” is a condition that has been seen in many young male patients who take Risperidal.

Risperidal, generically known as risperidone, is a drug that has been used to treat schizophrenia in the past. Risperdal is prescribed to treat more aggressive forms of autism, and has also been used to treat certain forms of bipolar disorder and irritable forms of dementia in the elderly. Manufactured by Johnson & Johnson under their subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Risperdal was first approved by the FDA in 1993.

Risperdal has also been used to treat ADHD in many young patients, even though it is not approved for such treatment by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Risperdal, however, has been found to have adverse side effects. Some of the Risperdal adverse side effects that have been associated with the drug are gynecomastia, early onset puberty, tardive dyskinesia, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and floppy iris syndrome.

Even though Risperdal was not approved for treatment for youth and adolescents, an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice revealed that as early as 2002, Johnson & Johnson marketed Risperdal to doctors to prescribe to children with the aforementioned conditions.

This marketing, it would seem, has contributed to a rise in Risperdal sales. In fact, during the time that Johnson & Johnson allegedly marketed Risperdal to be sold to children, the drug makers reaped $4.5 billion in sales revenue.

In 2006, Risperdal and gynecomastia were linked in scientific studies. Gynecomastia is a condition in which boys or men begin to grow breasts like women’s. It is thought that gynecomastia is caused by Risperdal, as the drug has been shown to increase the production of the hormone prolactin in boys.

Prolactin is present in both men and women. In women, it is the hormone that allows for breast growth and for lactation in pregnant and nursing women. In men, it can cause abnormal breast growth, or gynecomastia.

Because of this, many plaintiffs have filed Risperdal lawsuits. The families of six boys in 2008 filed Risperdal lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson stating that they were responsible for the boys’ gynecomastia conditions.

In 2010, a young man alleged physical and emotional trauma in another Risperdal lawsuit filed against Johnson & Johnson and Janssen.

In the wake of growing Risperdal lawsuits, in 2013 the Department of Justice initiated an investigation to see if the Risperdal warning labels were adequate in discussing possible side effects of the drug, including gynecomastia.

Later that year, in November, Johnson & Johnson pleaded guilty to “aggressive marketing” of Risperdal to patients for off-label uses and agreed to pay $2.2 billion to settle the matter.

At this point, because of numerous Risperdal lawsuits, Johnson & Johnson has paid billions in settlements and fines due to the adverse side effects from Risperdal.

If you or someone you love has been adversely affected by Risperdal, you may be able to file one of the Risperdal lawsuits against the drug manufacturer.