Risperdal Gynecomastia Breast Growth Causes Mental Trauma For Boys

Gynecomastia is a rare medical condition involving the development of breasts among males, which has been linked with side effects of Risperdal, causing severe psychological trauma for many young boys prescribed the medication.

Johnson & Johnson currently faces hundreds of Risperdal lawsuits filed on behalf of teens and young adults diagnosed with gynecomastia after receiving the medication for treatment of bi-polar disorders, autism, irritability, aggression or other behavior disorders.

According to allegations raised in the complaints, the drug maker failed to adequately warn that young boys already experiencing psychological issues requiring medication may go through the further mental trauma of developing male breasts, which may ultimately lead to the need for surgical removal and greatly impact their overall quality of life.

Research published last year in the medical journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery highlighted the severe mental trauma gynecomastia may have on adolescent boys, potentially having long-lasting effects throughout their lifetime, regardless of the significance of the breast growth.

Families who have filed gynecomastia lawsuits over Risperdal commonly report that their son’s find themselves the subject of bullying and ridicule, resulting in severe depression, anxiety and insecurity that may impact their lives for decades to come.

Risperdal Lawsuits and Settlements

Most of the Risperdal litigation pending throughout the United States is pending in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, but a number of cases are also consolidated 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.

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 lawsuits brought on behalf of at least five other boys who alleged that they experienced unnatural male breast growth.

In recent years, as awareness about the link between Risperdal and gynecomastia diagnosis has increased, the size and scope of the litigation has expanded rapidly, and Johnson & Johnson has been defending the cases.