Risperdal Lawsuits

Numerous studies have shown that taking Risperdal can lead to some very serious side effects. The drug risperidone has caused some to experience the onset of new diseases such as Tardive Dyskinesia, as well as other serious side effects like gynecomastia.

Lawsuits are currently being filed on behalf of young men and boys who have developed excess breast tissue, known as gynecomastia, due to the psychiatric medication Risperdal. The lawsuits allege that pharmaceutical company, Johnson and Johnson, may have downplayed the risks of this Risperdal side effect and may have also purposefully marketed the drug for off-label use in children. Young men and boys who have suffered physically and emotionally from breast growth caused by Risperdal may be entitled to significant financial compensation from the drug company.

Risperdal (Risperidone) Indications

There are several different mental illnesses that would lead a person to use an antipsychotic drug. Just like a physical ailment, mental illnesses have varying degrees of severity; so no two treatments will affect the same disorder in the same way. Some of the illnesses treated with Risperdal (although not necessarily FDA approved) include:

• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar Disorder (formerly known as manic depression)
• Symptoms of Autism
• Tourette’s Syndrome
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Attention Deficit Disorder

History and Industry Growth

Risperdal, manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals (a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson) found FDA approval over two decades ago, in 1993. The drug saw over 1 million prescriptions in its first 3 years; since then it has been prescribed to well over 10 million people. For the first decade the drug was used mainly to treat those with schizophrenia, however in 2003 it was approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Risperdal was a bestselling drug in the first decade of the new millennium. From 2003 until 2010 the drug was able to generate $24.2 billion for the parent company Johnson & Johnson. The peak year for the drug was 2007, where Risperdal brought in a whopping $4.5 billion. After 2010, however, the patent expired and generics were available. This caused sales to decline dramatically, to the point where in 2012, Risperdal had sales of around $358 million.

Side Effects

Like any medication, Risperdal has side effects. Many of them are annoying, such as dizziness upon standing or being less alert, and they often disappear as the body becomes used to the drug treatment. However, there are many side effects that need to be scrutinized to see if the drug is worth the risk.

Certain side effects of Risperdal can be particularly troubling, these include:

• Enlargement of male breast (gynecomastia)
• Breast tenderness
• Nipple Discharge
• Breast Cancer
• Weight Gain
• Diabetes

Mental illnesses are very real diseases. And getting your mind under control is important. However, when it comes to Risperdal, there are some serious physical side effects that must be considered before taking the drug.