Risperdal

Many patients felt relief when their doctors told them about the benefits of a new drug to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. There were side effects of the drug for many patients, just like with any other medication. As more patients began to take Risperdal, there were more reports of adverse events, including death in elderly patients.

Thousands of patients have settled lawsuits with the drug manufacturer for injuries related to Risperdal. If you suffered adverse effects of the drug, contact a Risperdal medication defect attorney to understand your options.

What Is Risperdal?

Risperidone, marketed as Risperdal, is an atypical antipsychotic drug developed by Johnson & Johnson. The drug is taken by mouth or injection. Risperdal was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:

• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder (alone or in combination with other medications)
• Irritability associated with autistic disorder

Initially developed and tested in the 1980s, risperidone was approved for sale in the U.S. in 1993. There are millions of patients who have been prescribed risperidone as Risperdal or a generic.

What Are the Side Effects of Risperdal?

Like other drugs, there are known and reported side effects. Tracking side effects is part of the clinical trials for drug approvals. Doctors and patients are aware of the most common side effects and they are generally included on the drug labels. However, there are also long-term effects that may not be known to patients.

Some of the most common adverse reactions reported in clinical trials included:

• Drowsiness
• Increased appetite
• Fatigue
• Rhinitis
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Vomiting
• Coughing
• Urinary incontinence
• Increases saliva
• Constipation
• Fever
• Dystonia
• Abdominal pain
• Anxiety
• Nausea

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required Johnson & Johnson to add a black box warning label for Risperdal. This added warnings about increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis. As a result, Risperdal was not approved for patients with dementia-related psychosis.

Risperdal Warnings and Adverse Reactions

According to the label, there are warnings, precautions, and adverse reactions. Warnings and precautions included:

• Cerebrovascular events, including stroke in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• Tardive dyskinesia
• Hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus
• Hyperprolactinemia
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Leukopenia, neutropenia, and agranulocytosis
• Potential for cognitive and motor impairment
• Seizures
• Dysphagia
• Priapism
• Disruption of body temperature regulation
• Antiemetic effect
• Suicide

These are more than just minor side effects. If you are at risk of developing cognitive impairment or seizures after taking a drug, you should have all the necessary information before taking the drug. A doctor should discuss all the risks and benefits with you to get informed consent. Informed consent requires telling you about:

• The risks of treatment
• The benefits of the medication
• Potential side effects and complications
• Any reasonable alternatives
• The consequences of declining treatment

How Can Risperdal Cause Medical Injuries?

Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals were cited for promoting risperidone for off-label use. In 2013, Johnson & Johnson was fined more than $2.2 billion for illegally marketing the prescription drug to dementia patients. Risperdal for patients with dementia was associated with an increased risk of death. The pharmaceutical company has settled some of the state lawsuits for unapproved marketing.

Thousands of children who were on Risperdal have reported growing breast tissue or gynecomastia. There have been a number of settlements from patients who reported increased male breast growth.

Can You File a Defective Drug Lawsuit for Risperdal?

If a drug manufacturer puts out a defective medication, they can be held accountable for any medical injuries caused by the drugs. In a product liability lawsuit, the drug manufacturer may be liable for:

• Design defects
• Manufacturing defects
• Failure to warn

Drug warnings and approved treatments are important because they give patients the information they need to make informed medical decisions. If the drug company hides some of the adverse events or markets the drug for an unapproved use, it puts patients at risk. A defective medical device or drug lawsuit allows injury victims to recover compensation for their injuries.

If you are injured after taking Risperdal, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the dangerous drug manufacturer. A defective drug lawsuit can hold the pharmaceutical company liable for putting out a defective product.

How Can a Risperdal Injury Attorney Help?

A medical malpractice or product liability lawsuit can help you get damages for your injuries. Risperdal lawsuit can help you recover money for:

• Medical expenses
• Loss of income
• Pain and suffering

If a family member or loved one died after taking Risperdal, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim for damages. A personal injury attorney can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit to get compensation for loss of support, burial expenses, and funeral costs.

If you have questions about filing a Risperdal lawsuit, contact a Risperdal personal injury lawyer for legal advice.