Thus far, over 700 Risperdal-related lawsuits have been filed in Pennsylvania. Three of those suits are set to go to trial in late 2014 and early 2015. This information was included in a court order issued by Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on September 24, 2014. The trial in Goldenburg vs. Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., Etal, will now start on November 3, 2014, instead of September 29, 2014. The trial in PP Etal vs. Ortho-McNeil-Janssen-Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is now set to commence on January 3, 2015 instead of November 3, 2014. A third suit, WC Etal vs. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., will start at some point during February 2015.
Gynecomastia as a Side Effect
The reasons for these Risperdal lawsuits are varied. Some allege that adverse side effects were experienced by patients. For example, gynecomastia, an enlargement of the male breast, is alleged to have caused emotional distress in some patients, particularly adolescent boys. Litigation filed in Pennsylvania occasionally also asserts that Risperdal’s manufacturer marketed the medication in inappropriate ways.
Risperdal Basics
Risperdal (risperidone) is specifically a dopamine D2-receptor antagonist that is in use in Alabama and across the country. In 1994, it was first approved only for short-term use in adults diagnosed with schizophrenia. In 2003, approval was expanded to include adults with bipolar disorder. In 2006, the FDA approved the use of Risperdal in certain children and adolescents as well.
It is Risperdal’s effect on the body’s prolactin levels that has been at issue at times. Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that is associated with breast enlargement, tenderness and swelling. It can also cause nipple secretions. The body naturally increases prolactin labels during pregnancy. However, increased levels allegedly induced by Risperdal have cause unwanted breast enlargement in men and boys. Adolescent boys are often quite vulnerable to the emotional distress caused by gynecomastia.
A Denmark Study of Risperdal Use
A variety of studies have linked Risperdal use to adverse side effects. For example, in May 2014, the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reported the results of a 12-year long study of Danish youth. Starting in 1999, 48,299 children that took various antipsychotic medications, including Risperdal, were studied. An increased risk of type 2 Diabetes was noted among those that took Risperdal.
In Alabama and across the country, those that developed gynecomastia after taking Risperdal may qualify for compensation in certain cases. A Risperdal lawsuit may seek damages for emotional distress, medical expenses and other costs. Some Risperdal patients have had breast reduction surgery to address the effects of gynecomastia. Others have undergone liposuction treatments.
Could You Have a Risperdal Lawsuit?
Please contact us with any questions that you may have about Risperdal side effects. At Attorney Group for Alabama, we offer an initial no-charge consultation to discuss you options in your particular situation. Depending upon your exact circumstances, the filing of a Risperdal lawsuit may be recommended. Contact us today to learn more.
