The drugs Risperdal & Invega, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Janssen lost an epic Lawsuit in November. The allegations are that boys or young men who took Invega have shown side effects. Invega has been known to cause enlargement of their breasts. This is known as Gynecomastia.Source
For nearly a decade, various state and federal agencies have been looking into Johnson & Johnson’s marketing of the drugs Risperdal, Invega, Natrecor, and others, claiming the company was putting consumers at risk by paying kickbacks to doctors and pharmacists to suggest these drugs to patients and for pushing unapproved uses for these medications. On November 4, 2013, the Justice Department announced that J&J will pay out more than $2.2 billion to settle these claims. Source
Invega (paliperidone) is an antipsychotic medication that has been linked to gynecomastia in children. This condition causes swelling of glandular breast tissue, which may be painful. Although drug-induced swelling of the young man’s breasts is not life-threatening, it can be very uncomfortable, embarrassing, and may require surgery. The drug causes an increase in the hormone prolactin, which then stimulated the growth of breast tissue and milk which then increases the size of the breasts.
The options for the young men with Gynecomastia symptoms may be:
- Liposuction: This procedure reduces the size of the breasts by removing fat deposits. It is only effective for mild or moderate cases.
- Breast reduction surgery
- Mastectomy: Removal of breast tissue and excess skin of the breast.
Serious Invega side effects include:
The most common side effects were restlessness, movement disorders, rapid heartbeat, and sleepiness.
- Galactorrhea (milk production from breasts)
- Diabetes, high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
- Bone loss (demineralization)
- Sexual dysfunction
- Pituitary tumors
- Tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movement disorder)
- Cerebrovascular events
- Stroke
- Transient ischemic attack
- Heart rhythm disorder
- Metabolic changes
- Weight gain (may be extreme)
- Increased risk of death for elderly patients with dementia
- Seizures
- Suicide
In September 2012, the first lawsuit was brought against Johnson & Johnson. They agreed to an undisclosed settlement on the first day of trial for a lawsuit involving gynecomastia caused by Risperdal. The plaintiff, 21-year-old Aaron Banks was prescribed Risperdal from 1999 until 2004, when he was between the ages of nine and 13, despite the fact that the drug was not approved for children. Mr. Banks suffered from enlarged breast tissue and required surgery to reduce the size of his breasts.
Following Mr. Banks Risperdal settlement August 2012, many more lawsuits were filed on behalf of young men who were prescribed the powerful antipsychotic medications to treat disruptive behavior disorders, Tourette syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and more. One of the plaintiffs suffered rapid weight gain and growth of 38D sized breasts, and many plaintiffs required surgical removal of breast tissue.The lawsuits allege that Janssen was negligent in failing to warn about the potential risk of breast growth.
Ginsburg & Associates are experienced personal injury attorneys. They have been successful in securing recoveries for people seriously injured due to medical malpractice and medication errors similar to Risperdal. They have also been successful in representing those injured when prescribed the wrong medications or treatments. This often occurs when a physician listens only to sales representatives and does not fully investigate the recommended drugs or course of action. The Doctors are short on time, and the allure of kickbacks clouds their better judgment.
Do you have an Invega or Risperdal lawsuit?
Ginsburg & Associates are advocates for their clients and very passionate about helping people who have been injured or wronged. If you are a parent or guardian of a son with these side effects or if you have taken these drugs and had side effects from taking these drugs; Ginsburg & Associates can help. They will file suit against the Johnson & Johnson, and Janssen the manufacturers and demand a Cash settlement and care on your behalf.
Contact us today – (215) 564-4400 and visit www.ginsburg-law.com for more information on a case involving Risperdal side effects.
