Indianapolis drug liability law firm Hovde Dassow + Deets has been monitoring, investigating, and representing clients who have suffered serious complications as a result of taking the antipsychotic drug Risperdal. The most common of these complications is the development of breasts by men and boys who have taken the drug.
Hovde Dassow + Deets invites anyone who is concerned or who has suffered negative reactions to Risperdal to contact them for a free, confidential consultation to discuss their experiences and explore potential claims.
What is Risperdal?
Risperdal, which was approved by the FDA and hit the market in 1996, is an “atypical antipsychotic drug” that has been prescribed to treat:
- Schizophrenia in adults and adolescents
- Bipolar disorder in adults and children ages 10-to-17
- Irritability in children (5-to-16 years of age) with autistic disorder
- Increasingly, ADHD in children
Risperdal Claims
Over the past few years, hundreds if not thousands of lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson and its Janssen Pharmaceutical’s division asserting that the Risperdal which they developed and marketed has caused breast growth in men and boys, a condition known as gynecomastia. Some common symptoms of gynecomastia in men and boys include:
- Swelling in breast tissue
- Pain or tenderness in breast tissue
- Nipple discharge in one or both breasts
Many of these lawsuits also allege that Johnson & Johnson knew about the risks of gynecomastia relating to Risperdal use and concealed those risks from doctors and pharmacists. Additionally, it has been asserted that the companies improperly marketed Risperdal for use in children before its 2006 approval for such use.
In November 2013, Johnson & Johnson and Janssen entered into a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice in which they pled guilty to misbranding the medication and agreed to pay a total of $400 million, including a criminal fine of $334 million and forfeiture of $66 million; one of the largest such settlements in U.S. history.
The Risperdal Lawyers at Hovde Dassow + Deets Are Ready to Help
The settlement with the government, however, does not resolve claims from individuals who have suffered from gynecomastia or other harmful effects as a result of taking Risperdal. Hovde Dassow + Deets, the preeminent personal injury and drug liability law firm in Indianapolis, represents individuals in their Risperdal claims and pursues lawsuits to recover compensation for these injuries. If you or a loved one are concerned about the actual or potential harmful effects of Risperdal and want to discuss potential claims arising out of those effects, contact Hovde Dassow + Deets partner and lead Risperdal attorney Robert Dassow today at 888-229-1778, initial, and confidential consultation to discuss your case.
This article has been prepared by Hovde Dassow + Deets for informational purposes only and does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. The information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to substitute for legal advice from an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.