Gynecomastia Lawyer

If you or a loved one developed breasts or were diagnosed with Gynecomastia after taking the medication Risperdal, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the manufacturer.  Call us today to get the facts.  Toll Free 1-866-777-2557 or use our online contact form and a lawyer will respond within 24 hours.

Risperdal is a drug that was initially developed to treat adult schizophrenia. Later, in 2006 and 2007, the FDA approved Risperdal for use in children as well, for such mental or mood disorders as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and behavioral disorders related to autism. It can also be used in combination with other drugs to treat depression. Risperdal works by evening out the natural substances that occur in the brain, thereby changing the brain's chemistry.

As with any drug, those who take Risperdal can experience a myriad of side effects, including drowsiness, drooling, dizziness, weight gain, and/or nausea. Some of the more serious side effects of Risperdal include muscle spasms or tremors, fainting, seizures, trouble swallowing, severe dizziness, signs of infection, or mental or mood changes, like anxiety or restlessness.

Risperdal can cause a patient's blood sugar level to increase, which can either lead to diabetes or make an existing case of diabetes worse. Risperdal can also cause weight gain and an increase in triglyceride levels. These two things, coupled with diabetes, can increase a patient's risk of developing heart disease.

Another rare side effect of Risperdal is that it can cause a condition known as tardive dyskinesia. Tardive dyskinesia can result from taking antipsychotic medications, and it causes spontaneous stiff and jerky movements of the face and body. In some cases, tardive dyskinesia may become permanent. 

Another rare but serious side effect of taking Risperdal is the development of a condition known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). NMS is a potentially life-threatening reaction to a patient's use of antipsychotic drugs. Symptoms of NMS include a high fever, muscle stiffness, paranoid behavior, and what is called "autonomic dysfunction." Autonomic dysfunction consists of nervous system defects, like excessive sweating and saliva, as well as a wide range of variations in blood pressure.

Risperdal may also cause the body to increase its production of prolactin, a naturally occurring substance within the body. For women, this can cause the body to produce unwanted breast milk, miss or skip a period, or experience difficulty in becoming pregnant. Men may experience a decrease in sexual abilities, an inability to produce sperm, and enlarged breasts. 

Thousands of families have filed lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson on behalf of their children (boys and young men) for the drug's connection to male breast tissue enlargement (gynecomastia). Because gynecomastia is usually permanent, young boys have had to undergo mastectomies in order to remove their breasts so that they can go on to lead normal lives. This is not only physically traumatizing to the patient but can also cause severe emotional distress.