New Risperdal Lawsuit Filed in Pennsylvania Litigation; Alleges Male Breast Growth Injuries Caused by Anti-Psychotic Medication, Bernstein Liebhard LLP Reports
New York, NY (PRWEB) October 24, 2013 -- A new Risperdal lawsuit (http://www.therisperdallawsuit.com/) alleging gynecomastia, or male breast growth, has been filed in a consolidated litigation underway in Pennsylvania state court, Bernstein Liebhard LLP reports.
According to recent court records, the case was filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on September 20th by a man who allegedly grew female breast tissue as a result of taking the anti-psychotic medication for three years. Following his use of Risperdal, which is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in adults and children ages 10 to 17, as well as a range of other conditions, the plaintiff is now seeking compensation for the physical, emotional and psychological injuries he allegedly sustained as a result of the medication.*
(Garza v. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., et al., No. 130902319)
Several other lawsuits have already been filed in this consolidated Pennsylvania litigation on behalf of men and boys who allegedly developed gynecomastia caused by Risperdal.
“Notably, Risperdal is also prescribed off label for ADHD, a condition that has been diagnosed in millions of young boys in the U.S.,” says Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationwide law firm representing victims of defective medical devices and drugs, including Risperdal. The Firm is currently offering free and confidential case evaluations to individuals who may have developed male breast growth caused by the medication.
Risperdal Lawsuits
Manufactured by the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., Risperdal is an atypical antipsychotic drug prescribed to treat bipolar disorder in children between the ages of 10 and 17, as well as schizophrenia in adolescents and adults. Risperdal is also approved to treat irritability in children with autistic disorder between the ages of 5 and 16. Additionally, the medication has increasingly been prescribed off-label to treat ADHD, research indicates.**
Research published over the past several years has lent evidence to the association been Risperdal and gynecomastia, which may be caused by the potential for the medication to produce excessive amounts of prolactin, a hormone known to stimulate milk production and breast growth in women. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology in 2006, elevated levels of prolactin may cause gynecomastia in boys and men, and lactation in girls.***
The following symptoms have been associated with gynecomastia in men:
• Pain
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Nipple discharge in one or both breasts
In the worst-case scenario, mastectomies or liposuction may be necessary to reverse Risperdal gynecomastia complications.
Court documents indicate that a number of Risperdal lawsuit claims are currently pending in a consolidated proceeding established in Pennsylvania state court. A Bloomberg report from October 2012 indicates that Johnson & Johnson has agreed to settle five cases filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.****
Men or boys who developed male breast growth, a condition known as gynecomastia, after taking Risperdal may be entitled to compensation for any pain and suffering they may have endured.
Learn more about Risperdal gynecomastia side effects by visiting Bernstein Liebhard LLP’s website or by calling the Firm directly to receive a free and confidential evaluation of your potential case at 800-511-5092.
*accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/020272s056,020588s044,021346s033,021444s03lbl.pdf, Risperdal Prescribing Information, FDA, 2009
**health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/08/07/more-kids-taking-antipsychotics-for-adhd-study, U.S. News & World Report, August 7, 2012
***journals.lww.com/psychopharmacology/Abstract/2006/04000/Risperidone_induced_Symptomatic.10.aspx, Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, April 2006
****Bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-04/johnson-johnson-agrees-to-settle-five-rispersal-suits.html, Bloomberg.com, October 10, 2012
About Bernstein Liebhard LLP
Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993, including those who have been harmed by dangerous drugs, defective medical devices and consumer products. The firm has been named by The National Law Journal to the “Plaintiffs’ Hot List,” recognizing the top plaintiffs’ firms in the country, for the past 11 consecutive years.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
10 East 40th Street
New York, New York 10016
800-511-5092
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2013 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.
###
Contact Information:
Felecia L. Stern, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
info (at) consumerinjurylawyers (dot) com
http://www.therisperdallawsuit.com/
Felecia L. Stern, Risperdal Lawsuit Information Center, http://www.therisperdallawsuit.com/, +1 800-511-5092, [email protected]
Share this article