Oklahoma Risperdal Attorney
Patients throughout the U.S. are filling lawsuits against Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Johnson & Johnson, alleging that the companies’ antipsychotic medication, Risperdal, caused severe and life-threatening conditions including gynecomastia, or the development of breasts in males. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the medication in 1993, yet both the public and medical communities are raising awareness about the possible dangers of the drug and accuse the manufacturer of marketing Risperdal to patients for whom the medication was not approved or intended.
Attorney Group for Oklahoma offers free, no-obligation case evaluations to individuals who suffered from adverse side effects and complications such as gynecomastia while taking Risperdal. Contact us today to be connected with an affiliated Oklahoma Risperdal attorney and take the first step in seeking the compensation to which you may be entitled.
Side Effects of Risperdal
Risperdal is most commonly prescribed to adults and teenagers with schizophrenia, children between the ages of five and 16 who have been diagnosed with autism, and individuals over the age of 10 who are currently living with bipolar disorder.
According to several clinical trials, Risperdal may block serotonin and dopamine receptors in the patient’s brain and simultaneously improve that individual’s personality and mood. However, Risperdal has also been shown to increase prolactin levels, or the hormone responsible for milk production in new mothers as well as the growth of breasts in females. While benign, this condition, known as gynecomastia, almost always causes distress and embarrassment in boys. If you or someone you love has one or more of the following symptoms after taking Risperdal, consult with your healthcare provider as they may be indicative of gynecomastia:
- Nipple discharge in one or both breasts
- Tenderness
- Swollen breast tissues
- Pain
Risperdal may also cause restless muscle movements in the jaw, neck, eyes and tongue, seizures, tremors, chills, drooling, fast or uneven heartbeats, stiff muscles, body aches, sweating, fever or confusion. Additionally, patients have also alleged that Risperdal caused Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, metabolic changes, a disruption of body temperature regulation and motor and cognitive impairment.
Studies suggest that elderly patients living with dementia may be more likely to pass away while taking Risperdal than those who opted for other medications. Contact an Oklahoma Risperdal attorney today to learn more about the medication’s lawsuits and what you can do to recover damages for any injuries you might have sustained. You may also be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit if a loved one passed away and you feel as though the death was directly caused by Risperdal.
Plaintiffs Continue to File Risperdal Lawsuits
Janssen Pharmaceuticals removed 16,000 bottles of Risperdal from the market in June 2011 due to reports of a musty odor. While the manufacturer acknowledged that the smell stemmed from wood pallets that were used to move the product, Risperdal still remained on the shelves despite increasing reports of complications and side effects. Still, you may consider filing a lawsuit with the help of an Oklahoma Risperdal attorney if you developed gynecomastia while taking Risperdal. You may be entitled to recover damages for trauma, embarrassment, emotional scarring and medical expenses such as treatments and therapies.
In November 2013, Johnson & Johnson reached a settlement with the U.S. government worth $2.2 billion. The third largest of its kind, the manufacturer was accused of promoting Risperdal and other medications to populations for whom the drugs were not originally intended or approved. Although Risperdal is safe for children diagnosed with certain conditions, it had been prescribed to young adolescents in years prior to its official approval for such uses in 2006. As a result, many children received a drug that allegedly caused serious side effects and complications.
If you were diagnosed with gynecomastia or suffered from other health complications while taking Risperdal, an Oklahoma Risperdal attorney can help. Plaintiffs currently filing lawsuits against the manufacturers allege that the companies knew of the potential for the drug to cause gynecomastia, yet failed to warn the public or remove the medication from the shelf for fear of losing money.
Working with an Oklahoma Risperdal attorney can assist you in seeking compensation for the damages you have incurred such as embarrassment, emotional and psychological trauma, pain and suffering and medical procedures to remove the breast tissues such as mastectomies.
An Oklahoma Risperdal Attorney Can Help You Today
If you or a loved one has experienced side effects, complications or injuries while taking Risperdal, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit against the makers of the drug, and seek compensation for damages. At Attorney Group for Oklahoma, we understand how devastating these side effects can be, particularly for patients who were not adequately informed of the risks prior to taking the drugs. We offer free, no-obligation consultations to those who feel as though they have a valid claim. We will connect you with an Oklahoma Risperdal attorney who can help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.
