Patients Suffering From Risperdal Side Effects File Lawsuits
The drug Risperdal can be an effective treatment for several mental conditions, but it can cause users to suffer serious Risperdal side effects. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology showed that adolescent and teen males who used the medication were prone to develop gynecomastia—a condition in which a male patient develops an excess growth of breast tissue. The research showed approximately 3 out of 10 users would develop the condition.
Young men aren’t the only ones at risk of developing gynecomastia after taking Risperdal though. Another study published in the journal showed middle-aged men may also face a risk of developing breast tissue after using the medication. Data indicates men between age 45-80 who were taking Risperdal had a 69 percent higher chance of developing gynecomastia than those who did not take the drug.
As a result of these findings, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has taken action to better protect patients, including considering more stringent warnings on the drug’s packaging and advising doctors to consider prescribing other medications to patients.
The risks associated with Risperdal have prompted the filing of many lawsuits against the makers of the drug. These lawsuits claim Risperdal’s manufacturer and distributor should be held liable for damages for failing to inform patients of the risks the drug posed and for marketing the drug to treat age groups and conditions not yet approved by the FDA. Many of the plaintiffs claim they would not have taken the drug if they knew the risks.
Suffering a drug injury due to another person’s negligence can have a significant impact on an individual’s finances and health. That’s why Rainwater, Holt & Sexton’s team of Little Rock personal injury lawyers are hopeful a decision in the Risperdal cases will bring closure to the victims. We also urge you to seek legal counsel if you were harmed as the result of taking this particular drug.
