Risperdal (risperidone) is an antipsychotic drug manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. It is FDA-approved to treat schizophrenia as well as symptoms of bipolar disorder as well as to treat irritability in children with autistic spectrum disorders.

The drug has also been used by physicians to treat other conditions “off label”. This is a practice that physicians may engage in to prescribe the medication for other uses that may be under current scientific investigation.

Risperdal has been used off label to treat dementia, ADHD, depression, OCD and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, among others.

Risperdal Side Effects

The side effects of Risperdal can be very concerning physically, but for young males especially, the development of some Risperdal side effects can be emotionally devastating. Risperdal has been linked to pituitary tumors, stroke, diabetes and other blood sugar side effects, weight gain, pancreatitis, and bone loss.

One of the most commonly reported side effects of Risperdal is a condition called gynecomastia, or abnormal male breast growth. With gynecomastia, males begin to develop breasts in a similar fashion to females, which is colloquially referred to as “man boobs.”

Risperdal allegedly causes changes to the breasts and breast areas in some males. The effects range from breast and nipple pain to breast discharge or milk discharge and more.

With Risperdal man boobs or gynecomastia, the male breast development can range from not so noticeable, with males only noticing a change in breast tissue without much growth, to extensive breast growth requiring intervention. In one of the most severe cases, a young man developed a size 46DD bust.

Psychologically, these young men affected by Risperdal can develop great difficulty in dealing with the apparent betrayal of their body as well as the social ridicule they may undergo. It can be very isolating and lead to severe symptoms of depression and thoughts of suicide.

Risperdal Litigation

Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals due to Risperdal personal injury claims. Generally, plaintiffs in these Risperdal lawsuits claim that the companies failed to warn consumers and physicians about the serious side effects that can occur from the use of the drug.

Johnson & Johnson and Janssen have also been the subject of several Risperdal class action lawsuits at the state level. A class action lawsuit in the state of Arkansas accused J&J of hiding the effects of Risperdal and was ordered to pay $1.1 billion.

The U.S. Department of Justice has also gotten involved with claims against Risperdal. In November of 2013, the DOJ ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay more than $2.2 billion to resolve both criminal and civil claims.

The claims presented stated that J & J marketed the drug in ways that were not previously FDA-approved for the drug and that the paid kickbacks to physicians.

Risperdal Lawsuit Information

If you or a loved one has suffered severe side effects after using Risperdal, such as gynecomastia or any other Risperdal complications, you may be entitled to legal compensation for your personal injury. Our experienced attorneys can assist you in understanding your legal options through a free, confidential case review.