Risperdal, introduced in 1993, is currently one of the highest-selling antipsychotic drugs in the U.S. Since its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), over 10 million prescriptions have been written for the medication, and the drug has grossed over $2 billion in sales for its manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Additionally, 10 years after it was first approved, the FDA also acknowledged that Risperdal could be used to treat bipolar disorder. However, patients taking Risperdal are currently filing claims against the manufacturer, alleging that the drug causes a condition known as gynecomastia, or the development of breasts in males.
If you or a loved one took Risperdal and you subsequently developed gynecomastia or experienced severe complications during your treatment, contact Attorney Group for Alabama today to learn more about your legal rights.
Risperdal Overview
Although Risperdal has been used to treat bipolar disorder, autism and schizophrenia, one of the main reasons that the drug has become so popular is due to its “off-label” uses for conditions for which it was neither tested nor approved. Although conditions such as senile dementia and attention deficit disorder were never studied under clinical conditions, Risperdal still generated profits and sales for the manufacturer and increased the public’s perception that it was a wonder drug.
Risperdal has also reportedly been linked to gynecomastia in young boys and men. Although this condition is non-cancerous, patients are filing claims against the manufacturer to seek compensation for surgical procedures to remove the affected tissues as well as the emotional harm and embarrassment caused by the medication.
Studies show that Risperdal increases prolactin levels, or the hormone that the body releases to stimulate breast growth and milk production. An Alabama Risperdal attorney can help those injured to understand their legal rights in their particular situation and seek compensation for damages they have suffered. Several patients claim that the manufacturer continued to aggressively market the medication, claiming that the drug could help to combat symptoms in challenging patients such as hostility, confusion, impulsiveness and agitation.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology in 2006 found that young boys taking Risperdal could experience higher prolactin levels that could ultimately lead to gynecomastia. Since long-term effects such as osteopenia, infertility, growth and pubertal delay have not yet been thoroughly studied, anyone taking Risperdal might consider speaking with their healthcare provider about the risks associated with Risperdal.
Is Risperdal Safe?
You may consider working with an Alabama Risperdal attorney if you experienced one or more of the following side effects:
- Pituitary tumors
- Irregular heart rhythm
- Suicidal thoughts
- Weight gain
- Heart attack
- Pancreatitis
- Cardiac complications
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
- Sexual dysfunction
Additionally, Risperdal has allegedly been linked to tardive dyskinesia, an involuntary movement disorder, bone loss, diabetes and high blood sugar, gynecomastia and galactorrhea, a condition involving milk production from the breasts. Studies have also found that Risperdal may increase the risk of death in those diagnosed with dementia.
Patients File Risperdal Lawsuits
There are over 420 Risperdal lawsuits currently pending against Janssen Pharmaceuticals and its parent company, Johnson & Johnson. Plaintiffs are claiming that they have suffered from adverse and life-threatening complications while taking the medication. If you have also experienced side effects, an Alabama Risperdal attorney can help you to seek compensation for your condition. Court documents also indicate that Johnson & Johnson has settled federal and state accusations with billions of dollars in settlements.
In November 2013, it was announced that Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay as much as $2.2 billion in fines that originated due to claims that the manufacturer marketed the product to patients for whom the medication was never approved such as elderly patients, children and individuals with developmental disabilities. The settlement was, at the time, the third-largest agreement involving a drug maker and followed a government investigation that lasted over 10 years.
Additional Risperdal lawsuits claim that the drug did not perform as Johnson & Johnson had claimed and that the drug maker put the health of thousands of people at risk. If you have been injured, an Alabama Risperdal attorney can help you to recover damages for gynecomastia and other injuries that you might have sustained during treatment.
Contact an Alabama Risperdal Attorney Today
If you or a male you love developed gynecomastia or suffered from other adverse effects while taking Risperdal, you may have legal recourse. Contact Attorney Group for Alabama today to learn more about pursuing a claim and seeking compensation for your injuries. We will provide you with a no-obligation consultation, free of charge, and connect you with an experienced Alabama Risperdal attorney who will handle your case and work to help you recover the damages to which you may be entitled.
