Risperdal Lawsuit

Risperdal is an antipsychotic drug that has been shown to cause gynecomastia, a rare condition where boys and men grow breasts. Janssen Pharmaceuticals has already paid billions to settle Risperdal lawsuits, and many more lawsuits have been filed.

If you suffered a side effect like gynecomastia, you may be eligible for financial compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma. Our experienced Risperdal attorneys will help determine if you are eligible for a lawsuit.

IMPORTANT: The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are currently experiencing any side effect from Risperdal, contact a healthcare professional immediately. Do not stop taking prescription medications like Risperdal without talking to your doctor or healthcare provider.

Risperdal Gynecomastia Lawsuit

Risperdal has been shown to cause gynecomastia, a rare condition where boys and men grow breasts. Janssen Pharmaceuticals has already paid billions to settle Risperdal lawsuits that alleged the drug was illegally marketed towards patient populations at a higher risk for serious side effects. Many more Risperdal lawsuits have been filed in courts around the country and are awaiting trial.

Our Risperdal attorneys are currently investigating cases on behalf of people who took Risperdal and suffered side effects including gynecomastia. If you or a loved one was prescribed Risperdal and suffered a side effect, contact our Risperdal attorneys today for a free, no obligation lawsuit evaluation.

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What is Risperdal?

Risperdal (risperidone) is an antipsychotic drug used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or irritability associated with autism. Risperdal works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain.

Risperdal is manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals. Originally approved in 1993 for the treatment of schizophrenia, Risperdal is one of the highest selling antipsychotic drugs of all time, grossing over $30 billion in global sales. In 2007, sales of Risperdal peaked with more than $4.5 billion.

In the past several years, Janssen has come under tremendous scrutiny for illegally promoting Risperdal for off label uses to children and elderly patients and ignoring the risk of serious side effects in these populations.

Side effects of Risperdal include:
Gynecomastia, a condition in which young boys develop breasts
Diabetes
Weight gain
Stroke

Risperdal and Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is a serious side effect from Risperdal. Gynecomastia is a condition in which young boys develop breasts that may require surgery to remove.

The same mechanisms that make Risperdal an effective antipsychotic can also lead to abnormal levels of hormones in the body, potentially leading to gynecomastia. Risperdal greatly increases the levels of the hormone prolactin – the hormone responsible for stimulating production of breast milk in pregnant women. Increased prolactin is one of the causes of gynecomastia in young boys who take Risperdal.

The degree to which breasts grow varies between patients, but the end result is often that men who develop gynecomastia are left with large breasts that resemble a female’s. While gynecomastia is not a threat to the physical health of the patient, surgery (mastectomy) is often required to remove the breasts.

The social stigma associated with males having breasts can lead to depression, eating disorders, and other mental health problems.

The emotional and psychological effects of gynecomastia can be much more severe. The social stigma associated with males having breasts can lead to depression, eating disorders, and other mental health problems. These consequences are especially prevalent in young boys and adolescents.

The risk of conditions like gynecomastia prevented the FDA from approving Risperdal for use in children and adolescents. However, documents and witness testimony made public through Risperdal lawsuits show that Janssen ignored the FDA’s restrictions and aggressively marketed Risperdal for use in young boys.

If you or a loved one took Risperdal and developed gynecomastia or another side effect, contact our Risperdal attorneys to discuss your potential case for a Risperdal lawsuit.
Risperdal Lawsuit Information

Risperdal Lawsuit Settlements

Janssen Pleads Guilty to Misbranding Risperdal—Ordered to Pay Over $1.5 Billion

In November of 2013, the US Department of Justice announced that Janssen had plead guilty to criminal and civil charges that the company misbranded the drug and illegally promoted off-label use. Janssen was ordered to pay a $400 million criminal fine on top of a $1.25 billion civil settlement.

In the years leading up to the Department of Justice ruling, Janssen had received repeated warnings from the FDA regarding the misleading marketing of Risperdal.

The DOJ and FDA investigation found that Janssen’s marketing practices consisted of tactics such as:
Providing kickbacks and other payment to nursing homes, pharmacies, and doctors for prescribing Risperdal
Creating thousands of free samples targeted at children and having sales reps visit pediatric doctors
Incentivizing sales reps to promote Risperdal for use in elderly patients and young children

Risperdal Lawsuits

Risperdal lawsuits have been filed in courts across the country, and many cases have already resulted in large financial awards to people who suffered side effects from Risperdal. Over $2 billion has been awarded to Risperdal users across the country as a result of Risperdal lawsuits, and some experts estimate that the total amount awarded could reach as much as $6 billion.

Risperdal lawsuits are centered around two main issues:
Janssen did not warn about serious side effects such as gynecomastia
The company promoted Risperdal for off-label uses and to children and elderly patients

Despite having settled a number of cases over the past four years, Janssen is still facing dozens more Risperdal lawsuits, as well as several investigations by state and government organizations.

Our Risperdal attorneys are involved in litigating Risperdal lawsuits on behalf of people who developed gynecomastia or another serious side effect after using Risperdal.