It is a great day for justice, and an indicator of hope for thousands of families who had children harmed by the antipsychotic drug, Risperdal. A U.S. jury awarded $70 million to the family of Andrew Yount in their case against Janssen Pharmaceutical, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. Yount developed breasts at the age of five from taking Risperdal. This is the fifth verdict in favor of the families affected by the drug. All five juries who decided the cases found that Johnson & Johnson failed to provide adequate warnings to patients and doctors about the risks associated with the medication.
They probably also took into account that currently, 3.5 million children diagnosed with ADHD take Risperdal. Millions of children like Andrew Yount took this medication every day unaware that the drug is linked to gynecomastia, a condition in which young boys develop large breasts.
Independent studies have found that Risperdal greatly increases the levels of prolactin in more than 90% of users. Prolactin is a hormone that stimulates the production of milk in pregnant women. This causes breast development regardless of sex. Growths usually begin as a small lump under the nipple, while the nipple gradually grows larger and tenderer. This condition could affect both breasts or just one.
Janssen Pharmaceutical had repeatedly denied that males taking the medication could develop gynecomastia, however, in the Yount case, it was revealed that they intentionally falsified or concealed material evidence showing the link between Risperdal and gynecomastia by purposely withholding a page from its scientific study when they submitted the drug for FDA approval.
The fact these pharmaceutical companies are purposely hurting our children is reprehensible. We will always fight for you and the justice your child deserves. If you or a loved one took Risperdal and developed gynecomastia, call us at 877-513-9517 for a free consultation.
