Risperdal (Risperidone)

Risperdal is the brand name for risperidone, an atypical antipsychotic sold by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, part of Johnson & Johnson. It is approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and to treat irritability associated with autism in children and adolescents.

Risperidone raises levels of prolactin, a hormone that affects breast tissue. The current Risperdal prescribing information warns that the drug causes prolactin elevations that persist during use, and lists galactorrhea, amenorrhea, gynecomastia, and impotence among effects reported with prolactin-elevating drugs. Gynecomastia is the growth of breast tissue in males.

That side effect drove a large mass tort. Thousands of lawsuits alleged that Janssen did not adequately warn about the gynecomastia risk, particularly for boys and young men prescribed Risperdal, and that the company promoted the drug for uses the FDA had not approved. The company has disputed these claims. Much of this litigation dates back a decade or more.

Because these cases are older, new Risperdal claims may be limited by statutes of limitations, which often run from when the injury was or should have been discovered. Anyone with questions about a specific situation should get individual legal advice, and no one should stop an antipsychotic without talking to their doctor. See our guides on class actions versus mass torts and how long these cases take.