The antipsychotic drug Risperdal has been linked to young boys developing breast tissue – a condition known as gynecomastia.
The drug has been used to treat behavior disorders related to autism and schizophrenia. Risperdal was approved by the FDA in 1993. It is manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, which is a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson.
Gynecomastia is painful, requires surgery, and leads to severe psychological trauma for the subject. Risperdal is also linked with galactorrehea, a condition characterized by premature development of breast tissue and production of breast milk in girls that have not yet reached child-bearing age.
Janssen Pharmaceuticals and its parent company, Johnson and Johnson, are facing legal action for off label marketing, false labeling, and kickbacks. The companies failed to provide sufficient warning to patients that using this drug comes with the risk of gynecomastia. According to the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, adolescents partaking this drug were four times more likely to suffer from gynecomastia.
The drug was also prescribed to children, even though it was not approved by the FDA for use by children. J&J and Janssen Pharmaceuticals are paying $2.2 billion to settle civil and criminal liability cases related to Risperdal.
If you or your loved one has suffered from gynecomastia then you need a Risperdal complications lawyer who is well versed in product liability law. The Law Offices of Alex R. Hernandez can help you understand the chances of you winning a claim amount and the best way to approach the case. Each case varies according to the facts that influence it. These include the extent of the condition, the nature of the effect the medication has on the individual, present and future complications from taking Risperdal, cost of medication, and loss of income.
Product liability claims are among the more complicated ones, and you should hire a law firm with a successful record of accomplishment in handling such cases.
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