An ongoing Risperdal settlement is underway against drug manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals and their parent company, Johnson & Johnson. Risperdal attorneys represent the drug’s victims in an attempt to compensate for physical and emotional damages.
A Brief History of Risperdal
Risperdal first entered the market in 1993, approved as an antipsychotic for use in schizophrenic adults. In 2006 and 2007, the FDA then approved the drug for use in children with schizophrenia or those with behavioral problems due to autism. The drug was also approved to prescribe to bipolar adults. Shortly thereafter, the adverse effects reports began to file in, most associated with one startling side effect.
Risperdal’s Gynecomastia Side Effect
Gynecomastia is worst Risperdal side effect, and it affects only young male patients. It causes breast development in adolescent boys, including tissue enlargement. This startling and traumatic change is usually irreversible without reconstructive surgery. Risperdal stimulates prolactin production, which results in gynecomastia. This side effect causes both physical and emotional trauma in men and boys.
Other Serious Side Effects
Males are not the only ones at risk for side effects from Risperdal, however. Some girls who have taken Risperdal for various reasons began to lactate, because of the prolactin element in Risperdal. It has also been shown to cause movement disorders such as restlessness, inability to move, and Parkinson-like tremors in both children and the elderly.
What Risperdal Attorneys Can Do for You
Risperdal attorneys are investigating dangerous Risperdal marketing used to promote unapproved uses. This happened even after Janssen execs knew the drug could cause gynecomastia, movement disorders, and other complications.
In 2013, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay more than $2.2 billion in legal and civil fines, after the FDA attempted to regulate their labels and marketing efforts to no avail. They admit fault for a criminal misdemeanor, acknowledging that they marketed Risperdal to adults for unapproved uses.
Eric H. Holder Jr., the U.S Attorney general, says J&J “recklessly put at risk the health of some of the most vulnerable members of our society–including young children, the elderly and the disabled.”
Risperdal attorneys can help those hurt emotionally or physically by Risperdal. You too may qualify for financial compensation if you took Risperdal and developed breasts before your 21st birthday. If you’re interested in filing a Risperdal lawsuit, attorneys are available to aid you. Start your free Risperdal claim review today and see if you may qualify.
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Lori Polemenakos is Director of Consumer Content and SEO strategist for LeadingResponse, a legal marketing company. An award-winning journalist, writer and editor based in Dallas, Texas, she's produced articles for major brands such as Match.com, Yahoo!, MSN, AOL, Xfinity, Mail.com, and edited several published books. Since 2016, she's published hundreds of articles about Social Security disability, workers' compensation, veterans' benefits, personal injury, mass tort, auto accident claims, bankruptcy, employment law and other related legal issues.