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J&J Loses First Risperdal Gynecomastia Trial

Plaintiff Awarded $2.5 Million in Damages for Risperdal Gynecomastia Side-Effects

risperdal gynecomastiaIn the first Risperdal gynecomastia personal injury trial for the multidistrict litigation, a Philadelphia jury has decided in favor of the plaintiff, and awarded the victim of Risperdal’s side effects $2.5 million.

Risperdal was approved in 1993, launched in 1994, and lost patent protection in 2008. Many of the 1,257 cases against Risperdal claim that the antipsychotic was not, at the time their doctor prescribed it, approved by the FDA for use in children, and the unknown side effects have permanently harmed their boys. The plaintiffs do not blame their doctors for recommending Risperdal for off-label use, but instead state that Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Johnson & Johnson, who developed, manufactured, and marketed the antipsychotic, misinformed pediatricians that Risperdal was safe for use in growing children – the FDA would not approve Risperdal for pediatric use until 2006, but J&J and Janssen began marketing the drug to pediatricians as early as 1999.

In a separate federal level act, the Justice Department settled an off-label Risperdal lawsuit with J&J for $2.2 billion, which resolved claims that Johnson & Johnson and their subsidiary Janssen promoted Risperdal for off-label and unapproved uses between 1999 and 2005, such as controlling aggression in elderly dementia patients, as well as behavioral disturbances in children.

However, because of J&J’s negligence when promoting Risperdal to pediatricians, many male children suffered a side effect of the antipsychotic called gynecomastia, in which boys grow breasts containing breast tissue, rather than just fat deposits.

The plaintiff is the first trial in a Risperdal personal injury multi-district litigation. The victim said he began taking Risperdal to control his schizophrenia when he was 7 years old, between 2002 and 2008. As a result of taking the medication, he suffered gynecomastia, as well as rapid weight gain, serious and permanent injury to his endocrine and sexual systems, and other permanent physical and emotional damages.

The plaintiff also sued to force J&J’s Risperdal documents and tests to be filed before the public, because, he claimed, J&J “hid data from the FDA, prescribing doctors and parents. Documents showed they knew there was much higher percentage of children getting gynecomastia than they admitted.”

“The jury in Philadelphia heard evidence that was never presented to the FDA by an American drug company,” said the plaintiff’s attorney. “If there was ever a clear failure-to-warn case, this was it.”

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Risperdal Gynecomastia Lawsuits

The Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. is a leader in the consumer protection battle against dangerous prescription drugs and medical devices, like Risperdal. We represent individuals who have been killed or injured by dangerous or defective pharmaceuticals.

If you or a male loved one were prescribed Risperdal and suffer any of the following side effects:

  • swollen breast gland tissue
  • tenderness in one or both of the breasts
  • swollen nipples
  • darkened or reddish skin around the nipples

And you have been diagnosed with gynecomastia by a doctor, contact our dangerous drug lawyers as soon as possible so that we can begin taking steps to preserve evidence and your claim immediately. We offer free consultations to discuss the facts of your case. 803.252.4800

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