Risperdal Side Effects Led to Deadly Breast Cancer, Lawsuit Claims

Lawsuits allege Risperdal use can cause high levels of prolactin in users’ blood, potentially leading to a condition known to increase the risk of breast cancer.

Johnson & Johnson faces a wrongful death lawsuit alleging it failed to warn that its antipsychotic drug Risperdal has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer for decades.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Destiny Owens, Yasmeen Owens and Brandon Owens, representing themselves and the estate of Stacy R. Owens, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on December 31. It names Johnson & Johnson, and its subsidiaries Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Janssen Research & Development LLC as defendants.

Risperdal (risperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic drug used primarily for the treatment of schizophrenia. While Risperdal was originally only approved for use among adults with schizophrenia, the antipsychotic was widely prescribed “off label,” including for use among children with bipolar disorder, autism, irritability, aggression and behavior disorders.

Numerous Risperdal lawsuits have been filed over the years, with many claiming it was linked to hormonal problems like gynecomastia, which presents as male breast growth. Some claims have similarly tied Risperdal to increased breast cancer risks. These often indicate Risperdal use can cause high levels of prolactin in the blood, resulting in a condition known as hyperprolactinemia.

According to this recently filed Risperdal breast cancer lawsuit, hormonal effects associated with the medication led to Owens’ diagnosis in 2012, and ultimately to fatal complications. Her family claims she and her doctor would not have chosen Risperdal had Johnson & Johnson warned of the potential cancer risk, alleging the manufacturer concealed known side effects from patients and the medical community.

“Concerns over prolonged exposure to Defendants’ Drugs causing breast cancer arose as early as the drugs debuted. Specifically, Defendants’ Drugs cause elevated production of prolactin—a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, primarily to promote milk production after childbirth.”

– Destiny Owens et al. v Johnson & Johnson et al

The link between hyperprolactinemia and breast cancer has been known since at least the 1970s, Owens’ family and other plaintiffs have noted. Scientists have also linked atypical antipsychotics to hyperprolactinemia since the 1990s, the lawsuits claim.

The family alleges the manufacturers violated federal regulations by failing to accurately report safety information to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in order to keep Risperdal’s warning label limited and drive broader use and profits.

According to the lawsuit, the defendants’ actions make them liable for punitive damages as well as compensatory. The Owens family presents claims of failure to warn, general negligence, negligence – failure to warn, fraud, wrongful death, and survival action.

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