The filing of Risperdal lawsuits continues, as Risperdal use in young men allegedly has caused numerous users to develop male breasts, otherwise known as gynecomastia or “man boobs.” Risperdal was originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia. It wasn’t too long afterward that it was discovered Risperdal could be used to treat other mental illnesses, such as depression and bipolar disorder. Without the effects of feeling sedated, Risperdal was hailed as a landmark drug that could calm young men suffering from such disorders.

Risperdal Studies

In 2006, the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology published a study demonstrating strong evidence that showed Risperdal was a direct cause in increased prolactin levels among men. Though the cause is still officially unknown, the evidence leads researchers to believe that prolactin levels have a direct correlation to the development of man boobs. The researchers noted, “given that the long-term effects of antipsychotic drug-induced hyperprolactinemia are not well documented, especially regarding osteopenia, infertility, growth, and pubertal delay, risperidone should be administered with caution to children and adolescents.” Not only are children and adolescents at risk, but new data is showing that older men stand an even higher risk of developing gynecomastia when taking Risperdal. According to the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP), older men stood a 69 percent greater risk of developing gynecomastia after prolonged use of Risperdal compared to those that never took Risperdal.

Risperdal Litigation

In November 2013, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, settled a $2.2 billion lawsuit over allegations that it misbranded Risperdal and filed false drug claims. In addition, the FDA ordered that Johnson & Johnson pay $1.6 billion to settle future Risperdal lawsuits after hundreds of men came forward, alleging problems from taking the drug. All of the Risperdal lawsuits are filed by men who share similar allegations that they suffered gynecomastia as a direct result of prolonged use of Risperdal. The volume of individual Risperdal lawsuits make a Risperdal class action lawsuit increasingly likely. In a Risperdal class action lawsuit, a group of plaintiffs with similar allegations joins as a collective force to file a lawsuit against a defendant.