There are updates regarding three Risperdal lawsuits in Pennsylvania that are set to go to trial in the coming months. A September 24, 2014, court order issued by the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas rescheduled the start dates of the three trials. Goldenburg vs. Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., Etal, will now begin on November 3, 2014, rather than September 29, 2014. PP Etal vs. Ortho-McNeil-Janssen-Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will now start on January 3, 2015, rather than on November 3, 2014. Finally, WC Etal vs. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., will begin sometime in February 2015.
Gynecomastia an Alleged Side Effect
These are just a few of the over 700 lawsuits that have previously been filed in Pennsylvania regarding the antipsychotic medication. The manufacturer’s marketing practices and the nature of Risperdal side effects have both been issues cited in certain lawsuits. Gynecomastia, the abnormal enlargement of male breasts, has been one of the alleged side effects of Risperdal use. Some male adolescent patients in Kansas and elsewhere have been impacted by gynecomastia, a condition that has been alleged to be caused by Risperdal use. Some have considered filing a Risperdal lawsuit due to the adverse impact of this condition.
What is the Medication Called Risperdal?
Risperdal (risperidone) is a drug approved for use in the treatment of certain specific psychiatric conditions, including bipolar mania, autism-related irritability and schizophrenia. The Food and Drug Administration first approved Risperdal for certain uses in 1994, and it was further approved for use in treating children with certain conditions in 2006.
Risperdal works by impacting the brain’s dopamine levels. However, the medication has also been known to have an affect on the level of a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, prolactin. This hormone dramatically increases in breast-feeding mothers, and it is associated with a variety of changes like breast enlargement, tenderness, swelling and nipple secretion. Risperdal-induced increases in prolactin allegedly result in the development of gynecomastia in certain male patients. The unwanted enlargement of male breasts has been associated with heightened levels of emotional distress, and the filing of a Risperdal lawsuit has been one response.
Risperdal Study Regarding Danish Youth
Numerous studies have explored the potential for adverse side effects with Risperdal use. One Danish study was reported in the May 2014 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. From 1999 to 2010, 48,299 children that took Risperdal and other antipsychotics were tracked. The study concluded that those taking Risperdal faced an increased risk of developing type 2 Diabetes.
Kansas Risperdal patients that developed enlarged male breasts may be qualified to receive monetary damages for medical expenses and emotional distress. Some of those with gynecomastia in Kansas and elsewhere have undergone breast reduction surgery or liposuction, because there is no known drug available to reverse this condition.
Are You Considering a Kansas Risperdal Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with gynecomastia after taking Risperdal, you may be able to seek compensation for your pain and suffering. Contact Attorney Group for Kansas today to learn more. We can help you understand your options in your particular situation, and connect you with an affiliated attorney if you decide to pursue a claim. Contact us today for a free consultation.
