Johnson & Johnson manufactured and marketed Risperdal, an antipsychotic medication that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved to treat autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder in adults and adolescents. While Risperdal is approved for these purposes, some physicians have allegedly prescribed the medication to treat symptoms of disorders for which Risperdal was not tested nor approved. Although Risperdal has helped to aid in the management of mental illness, studies and adverse event reports indicate that boys and young men who take the drug may develop gynecomastia, or the growth of breasts in males.
Have you or a male in your life developed gynecomastia while taking Risperdal? Would like to learn more about filing a Kansas Risperdal lawsuit? Contact Attorney Group for Kansas for a free consultation and to determine whether you are eligible to file a Kansas Risperdal lawsuit.
Risperdal Overview
Risperdal is prescribed to patients suffering from schizophrenia, autism, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder. While many patients worldwide have experienced little or no complications, many boys and young men have allegedly developed gynecomastia, or the growth of breast tissues. According to several studies, Risperdal increases the level of prolactin in the body, the hormone responsible for breast growth and lactation in females. Although gynecomastia is non-cancerous, a male experiencing breast growth may suffer from long-term psycho-social damage as a result of severe embarrassment and trauma. In many cases, surgery is required to remove the affected tissues.
Risperdal was approved in 1993 by the FDA to treat specific psychiatric conditions. However, according to plaintiffs filing lawsuits against the company, Johnson & Johnson attempted to increase profits from the medication by marketing Risperdal for other purposes. The manufacturer claimed that Risperdal could help with symptoms such as impulsiveness, confusion, agitation, and hostility in older patients with dementia even though Risperdal treatment for this purpose was not tested by the FDA.
Side Effects of Risperdal
Aside from gynecomastia, patients have allegedly experienced other adverse side effects while taking Risperdal, including sexual dysfunction, pancreatitis, pituitary tumors, weight gain, and an increased risk of suicide. Additionally, patients may suffer from neuroleptic malignant syndrome, galactorrhea, irregular heartbeats, tardive dyskinesia, diabetes, heart attacks, bone loss, and other cardiac complications. If you or a loved one experienced one or more of these complications, you may be eligible to file a Kansas Risperdal lawsuit and hold the manufacturer responsible for your injuries.
Risperdal Lawsuits Filed in the U.S.
The first Risperdal lawsuit was settled by Johnson & Johnson in September 2012. Currently, there are more than 420 Risperdal lawsuits filed by plaintiffs who allege that they developed gynecomastia and other health complications due to the medication. In November 2013, the manufacturer agreed to a $2.2 billion settlement to resolve claims made by the U.S. Department of Justice that it improperly and illegally marketed its product to patients for whom Risperdal was neither tested nor approved. If you have been injured, you may be entitled to file a Kansas Risperdal lawsuit and seek compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical costs.
Injured? Consider Filing a Kansas Risperdal Lawsuit Today
Have you or a loved one used Risperdal and been diagnosed with gynecomastia or suffered from adverse complications that you feel were caused by the medication? If so, contact Attorney Group for Kansas today. We can evaluate your case in a free consultation and help you to determine if you are eligible to file Kansas Risperdal lawsuit. We can connect you with an affiliated lawyer who can help file your Kansas Risperdal lawsuit and assist you in recovering the damages to which you may be entitled.
