Risperdal and Gynecomastia in Minors

In response to the concerns over the link between Risperdal and Gynecomastia in minors, Andrus Wagstaff PC is investigating potential lawsuits for victims.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2007 approved Risperdal (Risperdone) for the treatment of schizophrenia in adolescents, ages 13 to 17, and for the short-term treatment of manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder in children and adolescents ages 10 to 17. This was the first FDA approval of an atypical antipsychotic drug to treat either disorder in these age groups. It is alleged that the company didn’t wait to obtain FDA approval before promoting its use for children. Hundreds of Risperdal lawsuits have been filed on behalf of injured boys and young men in several states. Allegations of illegal marketing activities between 1993 and 2004 eventually caught the attention of consumer protection regulators in 36 states. State officials have continued to scrutinize the marketing of Risperdal.

Johnson and Johnson led doctors and parents to believe that Risperdal was a safe and effective treatment for ADHD and OCD, but the company failed to warn users that Risperdal could increase prolactin levels, which could ultimately stimulate abnormally large breast growth in boys and young men. Johnson and Johnson knew children going through puberty were more susceptible to these Risperdal side effects. There are special statute rules for children who were victims of these Risperdal side effects. Adolescent boys who experienced breast growth from Risperdal may have seven years after their 18th birthday to file a Risperdal lawsuit.