-- Attorneys from The Maher Law Firm today warned male users of Risperdal about a new study in which researchers say they have found an increased risk of gynecomastia, or unnatural male breast growth, among men using the anti-psychotic drug.
A letter published in the October 2014 issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology describes the study. According to the letter, a research team led by Dr. Mahyar Etminan of the University of British Columbia analyzed the medical records of more than 80,000 men between the ages of 40 and 85 from a period between January 2001 and June 2011. They reported identifying 8,285 cases of gynecomastia.
“We found an increase in risk of gynecomastia in men with risperidone [brand name Risperdal] when compared to both non-users of atypical antipsychotics and a trend toward an increase when compared to other atypical antipsychotics,” the researchers state in the letter.
In particular, the researchers report finding that male users of risperidone had a 69 percent higher risk of developing gynecomastia when compared to non-users of atypical antipsychotic medications.
When compared to users of the atypical antipsychotic drugs olanzapine (brand name Zyprexa) and quetiapine (Seroquel), risperidone users had a 40 and 41 percent higher risk, respectively, of developing gynecomastia, the research team states in the letter.
Risperdal (risperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson).
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the drug for treatment of schizophrenia and irritability associated with autism and for short-term treatment of bipolar disorder.
However, in 2013, Johnson & Johnson paid $2.2 billion in civil and criminal fines to resolve allegations by the U.S. Department of Justice that the company had improperly promoted Risperdal for off-label uses, including the treatment of dementia and other psychological disorders in children, the disabled and elderly, the New York Times reports.
A study published in 2006 in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology found that “risperidone administered to adolescents at doses commonly used for the treatment of psychotic symptoms can strongly increase prolactin levels,” with clinical consequences that would include gynecomastia.
The Maher Law Firm is currently providing free and confidential consultations to men who believe they may have developed gynecomastia, or unnatural breast growth, after using Risperdal.
Maher Law Firm attorneys are specifically investigating whether male Risperdal users received adequate warning about the possible gynecomastia risk before being prescribed the drug as a child or adult.
The law firm features offices in Florida as well as in Philadelphia, where Risperdal lawsuits have been listed on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas’ Mass Tort Master Docket (No. 100300296).
About The Maher Law Firm
The Maher Law Firm is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm that is dedicated to protecting the rights of those who have been injured due to the negligence or wrongful conduct of others. The firm represents clients in Florida and across the United States. The firm focuses in the areas of motor vehicle accidents, product liability and premises liability as well as in cases involving the abuse and neglect of nursing home residents, home health care patients and special needs children and adults.
Contact Info:
Name: Jennifer Frame
Email: Send Email
Organization: Maher Law Firm
Address: 333 N. Orange Ave. Suite 209 Orlando, Florida 32801
Phone: 407-839-0866
Website: http://www.maherlawfirm.com
Release ID: 69717
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