If you or a loved one have taken (or affected by) Risperdal after June 2008 please contact us today.

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Risperdal Linked to Breast Development in Boys, Movement Disorders & Type 2 Diabetes

A boon for Johnson & Johnson, the antipsychotic medication Risperdal initially generated billions of dollars in sales for the company. However, the discovery of serious side effects with Risperdal, along with investigations into improper marketing practices has lead to government penalties and thousands of lawsuits. Risperdal has been linked to breast development in boys that can only be corrected with surgery. Some patients have also reported the development of debilitating movement disorders and an onset of Type 2 diabetes after taking Risperdal. If you or a loved one has been taking Risperdal, you could have legal options.

What is Risperdal?

Risperdal is a powerful, 2nd generation antipsychotic medication developed for the treatment of schizophrenia in both adults and adolescents. Manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the drug is also approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder in adolescents and adults and autism spectrum disorders in adolescents and children. Risperdal can be taken orally in tablet or liquid form or be administered using monthly injections. Risperdal works by targeting serotonin and dopamine levels to decrease aggression and psychotic behavior.

Why You Might Have Taken Risperdal

While Risperdal was approved as an antipsychotic medication for patients suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disease or autism spectrum disorder, Risperdal is often prescribed for the treatment of ADHD in children, a condition that involves excess motor activity in the brain, impulse control issues and difficulty paying attention. Risperdal was never approved for ADHD treatment, so any prescription for ADHD treatment is considered an off-label use of the drug. While it is not illegal for doctors to prescribe medications for conditions for which they haven’t been approved, questions remain about whether Johnson & Johnson used improper marketing practices to target the medication for off-label uses that hadn’t been thoroughly tested.

What are the risks?

Because Risperdal works by altering levels of both serotonin and dopamine in the brain, the drug often creates a number of complications as a result of abnormal hormone levels in the body.

Side Effects & Complications Of Risperdal

Helping the Injured has investigated hundreds of cases and heard thousands of stories about the dangerous side effects and complications associated with Risperdal including:

  • Breast Development
    Risperdal has been shown to increase prolactin levels, which initiates milk production in pregnant women. When this hormone is increased in males, particularly adolescent boys, it can cause breast tissue to enlarge and grow, leading to embarrassment and costly, painful surgical procedures.
  • Heart Problems
    All antipsychotic medications carry risks for sudden cardiac arrest and death. These medications are required to be labeled to inform patients of these risks, especially older patients suffering from dementia.
  • Movement Disorders
    One of the worst side effects of Risperdal is the increased risk of the development of movement disorders like EPS (Extrapyramidal symptoms) and tardive dyskinesia. These disorders cause involuntary and often painful muscle movement. Another condition, known as dystonia, involves the making of involuntary sounds.
  • Diabetes
    Risperdal has been linked to an increased risk for Type 2 diabetes or increased blood sugar levels.

Attorneys Handling Risperdal Lawsuits

Thousands of Risperdal lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson, citing psychological trauma and acute humiliation resulting from breast growth in boys. The first settlement came from a case involving Aaron Banks who suffered abnormal breast development as a boy while taking Risperdal from 2000 to 2004. Johnson & Johnson faces penalties from federal and state agencies that could reach billions of dollars as evidence begins to emerge regarding improper marketing practices involving the promotion of off-label uses of the drug.

What You Can Do Now

If you or a loved one has suffered serious side effects as a result of taking Risperdal, you may be entitled to benefits and various forms of monetary compensation. Your best bet is to contact our mass tort injury attorneys as they are currently investigating Risperdal lawsuits in all states.

Helping the Injured has been a consumer advocate for over 25 years, connecting consumers with reputable law firms with a proven track record for handling drug cases. The attorneys we work with will fight for you and your rights. There is no cost to you unless your attorney recovers damages on your behalf.

Call Our Injury Lawyers Handling Risperdal Lawsuits

Regardless of where you were administered Risperdal our team of Risperdal lawsuit attorneys can help as they serve all 50 states and Washington D.C. including: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

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