February 21, 2014 — Risperdal (risperidone) is an anti-psychotic drug that has been associated with an increased risk of gynecomastia (male breast growth) in children. Janssen and Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturers of Risperdal, are now facing hundreds of Risperdal lawsuits from men who took the drug as children and suffered severe side effects.
The latest lawsuit was filed in federal court in San Diego, California, on January 16 by a 22 year-old man.
Verkest was prescribed Rispredal in 1997, when he was just six years old, to control behavioral and psychological issues. He continued taking Risperdal until 2001, when he was nearly 10 years old. During that time, he developed gynecomastia (enlarged male breasts), enlarged nipples, and severe weight gain. After discontinuing Risperdal in 2011, he developed even more severe side effects, including:
- aggression
- delayed onset of puberty
- delayed motor skills
- diabetes
- damage to sexual and endocrine functions
- hyperglycemia
- sleeping disorders
- severe emotional distress
- permanent disfigurement
- disability
- and more
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), whistleblowers, and several state Attorney General departments accuse Janssen and J&J of using illegal marketing tactics to promote Risperdal in children. In December 2013, drug-makers were ordered to pay $2.2 billion to resolve criminal and civil investigations into “off-label” marketing. Click here to read more.
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