Antipsychotic Medication Leads to Devastating Side Effects
Risperdal Side Effects Leave Permanent Scars
What Causes Male Breast Growth?
Can I Sue Over Risperdal Side Effects?
Has Johnson & Johnson Settled Lawsuits over Risperdal?
Are there Alternatives to Risperdal?
Is Risperdal Safe for Children?
Arentz Law Group Can Help with Your Risperdal Lawsuit
Risperdal Side Effects Leave Permanent Scars
Treating psychosis is difficult. It’s nearly impossible to live with schizophrenia when it goes untreated, especially the most severe cases. However, the drugs that are used to help balance out the thought processes and allow those suffering from this mental illness to live a full life can cause some devastating side effects. Risperdal, one of the most common antipsychotic drugs on the market, has been known to cause gynecomastia; breast growth in men.
Risperdal was originally designed to treat schizophrenia in adults. However, there are many instances where it was prescribed “off label” for conditions that it was never designed, nor approved, to treat. Since being approved by the FDA in 1993 for the treatment of schizophrenia, the drug has also been approved to help those who suffer from bipolar disorder, juvenile schizophrenia, and irritability in autistic children.
Have you, or a loved one, used Risperdal to treat mental illness and you have suffered from gynecomastia? Then you need to speak with an attorney from Arentz Law Group P.C. today. Call us at 1-800-305-6000, or fill out the contact form on this page, to learn more about your options for finding justice.
What Causes Male Breast Growth?
The basic structure for breast growth is prevalent in men. However, hormonal balances make it so that in most males the breast tissue doesn’t grow. Certain triggers, however, can cause male breast growth even without outside influences. This growth happens at three basic stages throughout the male’s life: infancy, puberty, and as a senior citizen. These are times when the testosterone and estrogen balances have become “off balance” and gynecomastia is a side effect. During these naturally occurring times in the male’s life, the swollen breast tissue will often go away on its own.
There are other triggers that can cause the breast growth. Taking the drug Risperdal can lead to gynecomastia in men, and if left untreated the only way to reduce the tissue back to normal is to have it surgically removed. Most men that suffer from gynecomastia as a side effect of taking Risperdal must resort to breast reduction surgery to return their bodies to normal.
The difference between the naturally occurring breast growth and that caused by taking this particular antipsychotic drug is the hormone that has caused the breast growth. When taking Risperdal the pituitary gland releases more of the hormone prolactin. This hormone stimulates breast growth and milk production and is usually found in elevated levels in young mothers that are about to start nursing an infant. As the hormone levels increase, young men taking this particular drug will notice that their breasts are enlarging, and without treatment they can start to experience milky discharge from their nipples.
When Risperdal first hit the market, Janssen Pharmaceuticals never warned the public about the potential for breast growth. As a result, young men that were treating their mental illness were subjected to bullying, taunting, and teasing because of their physical appearance. Their only recourse was to have a surgery that would leave permanent scars as a constant reminder to the painful time they went through.
Have you, or a loved one, taken Risperdal? Did you experience breast growth, breast tenderness, or lactation while on the drug? If so, you may be entitled to compensation. Your mental health shouldn’t be put at risk because a drug company didn’t tell you about the side effects of the drug you were taking! Call a Risperdal attorney with Arentz Law Group P.C. today at 1-800-305-6000 for your free consultation to determine your legal course of action.
Can I Sue Over Risperdal Side Effects?
Before 1993 those suffering from schizophrenia had very few options. For many the only drug available didn’t really work. When Risperdal was discovered, it was like a miracle drug that suddenly helped those suffering from mental illness to think clearly, and helped them to lead a more fulfilling life. The problems arose shortly after millions of prescriptions were filled; problems that the public were never fully warned about.
Gynecomastia, males growing breasts, became a huge issue. Especially when the drug was prescribed to those under the age of 18 even though the drug was not approved for their used until after 2007.
Hyperglycemia, a condition caused when the blood has too much sugar (but not necessarily due to diabetes), can be the result of Risperdal use. This condition can lead to many other deadly conditions.
Sexual Dysfunction, most of us are familiar with erectile dysfunction, sexual dysfunction is similar but not always caused by blood flow problems.
Tardive Dyskinesia, a condition where you move involuntarily (tics, tremors, shakes, and spasms) can be the result of taking Risperdal.
Weight gain occurs in a lot of patients who take Risperdal. This weigh gain masks the drastic effects of gynecomastia, but even if the weight is lost, the breasts remain.
The list goes on and on, but the bottom line is that this drug is not without side effects. Many of the side effects were never fully disclosed to the public, and some can have deadly consequences. This leads you to wonder, “Can I sue over the side effects of taking Risperdal?”
The answer is: yes, as long as your case meets certain conditions. For many years after the FDA approved the drug, there were no warnings about the drastic side effects. This led individuals to believe that taking the drug was entirely safe. If you were led to believe that there would be few and only minor side effects, you may have a case against Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Johnson & Johnson.
Are you ready to receive the justice that you deserve? You shouldn’t have to suffer because a major pharmaceutical company held their profits as more important than your well being! Call us today at 1-800-305-6000 to learn more about how you can start your lawsuit over the side effects of Risperdal.
Has Johnson & Johnson Settled Lawsuits over Risperdal?
Risperdal has caused a lot of controversy in the medical community. On the one hand it is much safer and easier to use than any of the alternatives. On the other hand it has some drastic side effects. The biggest issue is that the drug has caused many young men to develop breasts. Suffering from gynecomastia these young men have pushed back against Johnson & Johnson seeking justice. And justice has been found by many.
The first, and most famous, cases against Johnson & Johnson was from Aaron Banks. When he was just 9 years old he was prescribed Risperdal (even though it wasn’t approved for children under the age of 18 at the time). Over the next 5 years he developed breasts and was the subject of bullying, teasing, and shaming. At the age of 21 Aaron sued Johnson & Johnson over their dangerous drug. The company settled instead of taking the matter to court.
Why did Johnson & Johnson settle instead of defending their drug? Nobody is quite sure, but speculations include that they wanted to avoid the public eye, it was cheaper to settle than suffer lost profits, or they thought it was a one-time scenario.
Since that time there have been many other lawsuits because Risperdal has caused gynecomastia. Many states across America have seen these suits, and many plaintiffs have won their cases because this drug has caused so many problems. If you are wondering if there is a precedent for a Risperdal lawsuit, the answer is yes.
Are you ready to fight back against Johnson & Johnson because their drug caused serious problems in you or a loved one? Your lawsuit will help you receive the justice that you deserve, and it will help others as well. Every time a suit comes up, there is more press showing that Risperdal is not a safe drug. Your lawsuit could prevent pain and suffering for someone else, all while compensating you for the pain and suffering you went through. Call a Risperdal attorney at 1-800-305-6000 to learn how you can get started in your Risperdal lawsuit.
Are there Alternatives to Risperdal?
Humans’ understanding of mental illness only dates back a few decades. Before we knew about neurotransmitters (dopamine and serotonin) mental illness was seen as the work of demons, or something that could be shocked out of the patient. Around the middle of the 20th century that all started to change as drugs were introduced that blocked the dopamine receptors in the brain.
Until Risperdal was approved in the early 1990’s, there were only two typical antipsychotic drugs available (typical in this instance simply means “first generation”). These drugs worked, but not exceedingly well. Risperdal, described as an atypical antipsychotic (atypical in this instance simply means “second generation”), works to block both dopamine and serotonin receptors and has a much better outcome of helping level off the thought processes of those suffering from mental illness.
But as we know, Risperdal has some serious side effects; some that could be potentially deadly. So are there alternatives to Risperdal? Are there options out there for those that need to calm their minds, but do not want to risk suffering from gynecomastia and other serious side effects?
Yes, there are some alternatives. In 1951 chlorpromazine was developed as the first anti-psychotic. Many doctors still use this drug widely today as a treatment for those who are suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or behavioral problems. In the early 1970’s Clozapine was developed. This drug worked in a similar manner, and was actually pulled from the market because of some serious side effects. However, with careful monitoring this drug is quite effective in treating mental illness.
While there are not drugs out there that are entirely safe and entirely free from side effects, it is the manufacturer’s job to warn patients about the potential outcomes. No matter how rare, the public deserves to know all about these drugs and what could happen when they are taken.
Have you taken Risperdal and you suffered from severe side effects like male breast growth? You are probably looking for an alternative drug that can help you think and function clearly. But you also deserve justice for the pain and suffering that you have been through. If you have suffered after taking Risperdal, we want to speak with you! Call a Risperdal attorney at 1-800-305-6000 to schedule your free consultation.
Is Risperdal Safe for Children?
Those who suffer from mental illness just want to feel “normal.” Those who have children who suffer from mental illnesses want their child to be loved and accepted. So they are looking for an option on how to treat their disease. They often turn to Risperdal because it is highly effective in balancing out though processes.
Risperdal was approved for adult use by the FDA in 1993. In 2006 it was approved to treat irritability in autistic children, and in 2007 it was approved for those over the age of 10 who suffer from schizophrenia. The problem, however, is that FDA approval doesn’t mean the drug is safe.
In 2002, before the drug was even approved for children, studies were being published. It turns out that since the drug was so effective, children were taking it even though it was for adults only. One study showed that after just 12 weeks on the drug (that’s only 3 months) 42.9% of the adolescent youth had suffered from extreme weight gain. Is a drug safe if it causes nearly half of its patients to gain significant weight?
Another study that was published in 2008, shortly after the drug was approved for people under the age of 18, saw even more alarming results. This study recognized the propensity for children to gain weight, but there are many other conditions that go with that weight gain. These kids were at a higher risk of developing diabetes and heart conditions.
This is not to mention the studies from the late 1990’s that show there is an increased risk of men developing breasts while taking the drug.
If you are wondering whether or not Risperdal is safe for children, you will receive conflicting answers. The drug manufacturer says there is nothing wrong with children taking the drug in order to alleviate the symptoms of their mental illness. The FDA has approved the drug, which many believe is a stamp of approval that the drug is safe. However, if you look at the studies, then you will notice that this drug may not be in your child’s best interest.
Has your child, or another loved one, been prescribed Risperdal? Has that individual suffered from severe side effects like rapid weight gain, gynecomastia, hyperglycemia, or more? Then you need to call a Risperdal attorney from Arentz Law! We can help you receive justice by pushing back against Johnson & Johnson saying it’s not ok to endanger our children! Call 1-800-305-6000 to get started in your lawsuit.
Arentz Law Group Can Help with Your Risperdal Lawsuit
Arentz Law Group P.C. believes that when you are harmed, it shouldn’t be hard to receive justice. That is why we have a team of lawyers dedicated to helping you with your Risperdal lawsuit. Our highly trained attorneys are here to help guide you through your lawsuit and let you get the compensation that you deserve.
What many people don’t realize is that their lawsuit helps more people than just themselves. Your lawsuit will help you to receive compensation for the pain and suffering that you undeservedly experienced. But it will do so much more. Your lawsuit helps others become aware that Risperdal is not a safe drug. How much would it be worth to know that your lawsuit prevented another individual from going through the same trauma? What if it prevented 100 others? Or maybe even 1,000?
To get started on your Risperdal lawsuit, all you need to do is call us at 1-800-305-6000. Your initial phone call puts you under no obligation to become a client of Arentz Law, and you will be able to discuss with an attorney if you have a case against Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Johnson & Johnson. If there is sufficient evidence, then your attorney will provide the next steps that are needed in order to continue with your Risperdal lawsuit. You supply the details, and the lawyer will do the hard work.
Ready to get started? Give us a call or fill out the contact form on this page.
Personal injury attorneys from Arentz Law Group have helped thousands of clients from all over the country. Many of our clients have seen success with Risperdal lawsuits, and even though we are located in Southern California, a lot of our clients are not. We can help you no matter what state you live in.