Recent investigations have revealed Risperdal side effects in boys that are life-altering and sometimes fatal.

Risperdal is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat adolescents and adults with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder as well as irritability associated with autistic disorder in children ages 6 to 16.

Risperdal is also being used more and more as a treatment for ADHD, even though this is an off-label use that has not been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

While Risperdal has been on the market since 1996, it wasn’t until 2006 that the FDA approved the use of Risperdal in children.

The active ingredient in Risperdal is risperidone, which works by affecting the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. These neurotransmitters are known to affect mood and behavior.

Common Risperdal Side Effects in Boys

The most common reported Risperdal side effects in boys observed in clinical trials (involving more than 5% of users) included:

• Parkinsons-like Tremors
• Dizziness
• Sedation
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Dry Mouth
• Nasal Congestion
• Upper Abdominal Pain
• Dyspepsia
• Diarrhea
• Nausea & Vomiting
• Weight Gain
• Fatigue

Risperdal Side Effects in Boys: Serious Weight Gain

Weight gain is one of the most commonly reported Risperdal side effects in boys.

In 2011, an FDA advisory panel recommended monitoring of Risperdal and other drugs in its class after a study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry found that patients gained 11 to 13 pounds after takingantipsychotics for just six to eight weeks. Some children gain weight at a rate of five pounds per week.

A 2013 University of Massachusetts study found that children taking antipsychotics were four times more likely to develop diabetes. A child’s risk of developing diabetes is tripled within the first year of use, according to another study published in August 2013 in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.

Risperdal Side Effects in Boys: Life-Altering Male Breast Growth

Johnson & Johnson is currently facing a number of lawsuits involving Risperdal male breast growth claims.

The plaintiffs allege that the drug maker failed to warn users that boys can develop a medical condition known as gynecomastia, which may require surgical breast removal.

In some cases, boys have developed breasts as large as a 38D cup size after using Risperdal.

The first Risperdal lawsuit, involving 21-year-old plaintiff Aaron B., who alleged that, after taking Risperdal from 1999 and 2004, his breasts grew so large he suffered mental anguish and required surgery to remove them.

The discovery process revealed that Risperdal stimulated the production of prolactin, a hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates breast development.

Before the case could begin in court, Johnson & Johnson settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount. According to various new reports, over 400 similar cases have been filed in U.S. courts.

In a separate lawsuit, J&J agreed to pay $181 million to clear up claims by 36 states that they promoted Risperdal for unapproved, off-label uses.

Filing a Risperdal Side Effects Lawsuit

Risperdal has spawned many lawsuits in which gynecomastia in boys was cited as a Risperdal side effect in boys.

Research has also linked Risperdal to gynecomastia, and the the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has issued several warnings related to Risperdal side effects in boys, emphasizing the dangers it may pose to users, including gynecomastia and weight gain.

Young boys who have developed breasts as result of Risperdal use can suffer from severe psychological trauma. As a result, many doctors have reportedly recommended that adolescent males who suffer from gynecomastia undergo surgery.

Mild cases of gynecomastia in boys can be resolved with liposuction, while more severe cases will require a mastectomy.

If you or a loved one has used Risperdal and suffered from gynecomastia, you may have legal recourse to collect compensation for surgical expenses, hospital bills, mental anguish and other damages.

For more information, please contact an experienced Risperdal attorney for a free consultation.  There is no cost or obligation to have your case reviewed.