The longstanding healthcare company, Johnson & Johnson, has been the subject of countless lawsuits. Many claimants have accused the company of manufacturing products that cause unintended adverse health complications, from talcum powder to benzene lawsuits. Another Johnson & Johnson product, Risperdal, has come under fire for allegedly causing gynecomastia.
Our law firm is currently handling lawsuits on behalf of individuals who developed gynecomastia after taking Risperdal. Traversing a mental illness is difficult, but the added stress of another condition can worsen your situation. If you endured unintentional side effects from Risperdal, contact us today to speak with a Risperdal lawyer.
Risperdal (risperidone) is a drug intended to treat several mental health disorders. Doctors prescribe Risperdal for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and irritability in autism patients. Additionally, off-label uses of Risperdal include ADHD, anxiety, sleep disorders, and depression. Risperdal works by altering levels of chemicals in the brain like dopamine and serotonin.
Johnson & Johnson’s subsidiary, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, began selling Risperdal in 1993 after it gained FDA approval. The FDA’s approval of Risperdal allows for treatment in adults and adolescents.
Risperdal’s labeling discloses numerous side effects like fatigue, tremors, blurred vision, restlessness, and so on. However, the drug’s labeling includes no mention of gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is a condition in which the breast gland tissue increases in boys or men.
A 2006 study in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that Risperdal can highly increase prolactin levels in patients. Prolactin is a hormone that is responsible for breast tissue development. Yet another study published by the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology discovered that young men on Risperdal are nearly five times more likely to develop gynecomastia compared to those who did not take the drug.
Research indicates that Risperdal increases the risk of gynecomastia in boys and men. Physical symptoms of gynecomastia include swollen breast gland tissue, breast pain or tenderness, and nipple discharge. Although, the psychological impact of gynecomastia may prove more damaging than the physical side effects.
Many boys and men relied on Risperdal to treat their mental disorders. Risperdal patients already suffer mental impairments, and the drug may have worsened their state of mind. In 2013, researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital conducted psychological evaluations on forty-seven boys with gynecomastia and compared the results against boys without the condition. Those with gynecomastia scored lower for self-esteem, social functioning, mental health, and eating behaviors.
Furthermore, patients may resort to breast reduction surgery to correct gynecomastia. Reconstructive surgery for adolescents and adults can be a traumatic experience that may result in scarring, infection, and breast shape irregularities. Gynecomastia oftentimes results in lifelong demoralizing physical and mental effects in boys and men.
Thousands of individuals have filed lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson for Risperdal. Many of these lawsuits concern the company’s promotion of Risperdal for off-label uses. For instance, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $2.2 billion in a settlement with the Department of Justice for allegedly illegally marketing Risperdal for unapproved uses in elderly and children patients.
However, countless Risperdal lawsuits target Johnson & Johnson for the unintended and undisclosed gynecomastia reactions. Many adolescents and adults have won millions of dollars in claims that allege Johnson & Johnson failed to warn doctors or patients of the risk of gynecomastia. For instance, the jury awarded Alabama resident Austin Pledger $2.5 million after he blamed Risperdal for causing him to grow 46 DD-sized breasts. Additionally, in 2016, a Tennessee teenager who accused Risperdal of causing him to develop female-sized breasts won $70 million in a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson.
If you or a loved one developed gynecomastia after taking Risperdal, you may qualify for a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson. A Risperdal lawyer can help you recover compensation for:
Former FDA chief, David Kessler, testified that J&J knew Risperdal could cause boys and men to grow breasts as far back as 2001. Despite this knowledge, the company neglected to include gynecomastia as a potential side effect until 2006. J&J waited nearly five years to take action while patients suffered physical and emotional anguish caused by gynecomastia. Proper labeling could have spared thousands of individuals from gynecomastia had the company been forthcoming with this information.
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. The Lake Law Firm will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.
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