Risperdal Breast Growth Lawsuit May Be Headed to Trial This Month

Trial may begin later this month for a Risperdal lawsuit filed by the family of a 16 year old boy who allegedly developed breasts after taking the medication for treatment of bipolar disorder, which may become the first of hundreds of similar cases to reach a jury if the drug maker does not reach an agreement to settle the product liability lawsuit.

Risperdal (risperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic medication that was approved by the FDA for treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other conditions. It has been widely used by children for autism, irritability, aggression and behavior disorders.

In recent years, information has surfaced that suggests side effects of Risperdal may cause the development of breasts among young boys using the medication, which is a medical condition known as gynecomastia.

Johnson & Johnson faces a growing number of Risperdal breast growth lawsuits filed in courts throughout the country, which allege that the drug maker failed to adequately research the medication or warn about the risk of boys developing breasts following use of the medication.

Boys have reported developing breasts measuring as large as a 38D cup size after using the medication, according to allegations raised in some of the cases, with breast removal surgery necessary in many of the lawsuits.

According to a report by 6 News in Corpus Christi, a Texas judge has ordered Johnson & Johnson to enter mediation with the family of a 16 year old boy, indicating that if an agreement to settle the Risperdal case is not reached, trial could begin on August 15.

The teen alleges that he suddenly grew breasts after using Rispedal for just 18 months. He is considering a double mastectomy, and claims that the development of breasts has significantly affected his quality of life.

Risperdal Breast Growth Settlements

Johnson & Johnson has been involved in Riserdal litigation for years, but this case could be the first male breast growth lawsuit to go before a jury if the matter is not resolved.

In September 2012, it was reported that Johnson & Johnson reached a Risperdal settlement in a case brought by a 21 year old man, who alleged that side effects of the medication caused him to suffer severe psychological trauma and undergo surgery to have the breasts removed. That agreement was reached shortly before trial was to begin in the case.

Shortly after that, agreements were reached to settle Risperdal claims brought on behalf of at least five other boys who alleged that they experienced unnatural male breast growth.

Most of the litigation pending throughout the United States is filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, but a number of cases are also centralized in the New Jersey court system as part of an MCL, or multi-county litigation, which is centralized before Judge Jessica R. Mayer in Middlesex County.

According to an updated case list (PDF) provided by the New Jersey courts on August 1, at least 463 Risperdal claims are centralized in the state.

As young men continue to discover that their breast growth problems may be due to Risperdal use as a child, the number of lawsuits filed is expected to continue to increase.