Should YOU Consider a Risperdal Gynecomastia Lawsuit?
Drug manufacturer Johnson & Johnson has paid billions of dollars to resolve claims related to the marketing and side-effects of it drug Risperdal, an antipsychotic medication prescribed to treat symptoms of manic or mixed delusional episodes arising from such conditions as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Johnson & Johnson continues to face hundreds of claims from plaintiffs filing Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits, including over 130 cases from young men who suffered from gynecomastia, or male breast enlargement, after taking the medication.
If you would like to learn more about filing a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit in Oklahoma, contact Attorney Group for Oklahoma. We can provide you with a free consultation and help you to determine if you have a claim. If you decide to file a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit, you may be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages such as emotional or physical trauma.
What is Risperdal?
Risperdal, or risperidone, belongs to a class of medications known as atypical antipsychotics. These drugs are prescribed to treat such psychiatric conditions as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It was manufactured and marketed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, now a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, and approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. in 1993.
What is the Problem with Risperdal?
Antipsychotic drugs such as Risperdal may have severe side effects on children, which is why the FDA did not approve the medication for pediatric uses until 2006. However, according to claims by those filing a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit, many children were prescribed the medication prior to 2006 in an attempt to treat behavioral problems such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, irritability and aggression.
Risperdal may cause the following side effects:
- Infertility
- Type 2 diabetes
- Weight gain
- Suicidal behavior
- Sexual dysfunction
- Growth delays
- Delayed onset of puberty
- Bone loss
- Tardive dyskinesia
- Gynecomastia
Of these, a commonly alleged complication is gynecomastia, or the development of breast growth in males. This condition is caused by an imbalance of the hormone prolactin and can be disfiguring and cause psychological trauma, particularly if it affects young boys and adolescents. According to several patients filing a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit, they required surgical excision of excess skin and breast tissue.
If you or a man you love experienced one or more of the following symptoms of gynecomastia and have been diagnosed by your doctor, consider seeking legal counsel from an attorney in Oklahoma regarding your rights in filing a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit to seek compensation for your condition:
- Symmetrical or lopsided breast growth
- Nipple discharge
- Enlarged breast gland in a cone shape behind the nipple
- Rapid breast growth
- Breast swelling, tenderness and pain
Plaintiffs File Lawsuits
Plaintiffs filing a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceutical are making allegations against the manufacturers including:
- Breach of warranties
- Failure to warn
- Negligence
- Fraudulent concealment
- Negligent misrepresentation
- Negligent infliction of emotional distress
- False advertising
In November 2013, Johnson & Johnson reached a $2.2 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice to settle allegations that the company improperly and illegally marketed Risperdal for uses for which it was not intended or approved. Additionally, the government claimed that the companies withheld important information regarding the efficacy and safety of Risperdal in an effort to profit from the medication.
Do You Have an Oklahoma Risperdal Gynecomastia Lawsuit?
Attorney Group for Oklahoma provides free consultations to those who wish to learn whether they are eligible to recover damages for their injuries. If you have been injured in Oklahoma, consider seeking legal counsel. If you decide to pursue a claim, we can connect you with an affiliated attorney in Oklahoma who can assist you in filing a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit and work to help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.
