Risperdal drug study

A recent study revealed that children who take the antipsychotic medication Risperdal are at a greater risk for weight gain and developing insulin resistance, which can lead to serious health problems, including diabetes. The study was conducted to evaluate the risk of weight gain and insulin resistance in children who are treated with antipsychotic drugs and included a total of 144 children between the ages of 6 and 18 who were evaluated for a total of 12 weeks. The results indicated that children taking Risperdal experienced clinically significant weight gain during the 12-week trial. Researchers noted that the rate of weight gain put children at a higher risk for developing serious health complications, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The results of the study were published in the June edition of JAMA Psychiatry and add to the concerns surrounding Risperdal. Injured victims across the country have filed Risperdal lawsuits alleging that the makers of the drug failed to warn patients about the potential risks.

What is Risperdal Used to Treat?

schizophreniaRisperdal is a drug that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Risperdal works by altering the way the body creates certain hormones and generally causes a calming effect in patients. This therapeutic effect has made the drug a popular treatment choice. Originally, Risperdal was given to adults and teenagers 13 years or older. Eventually, the drug was approved for treatment of behavioral disorders among adolescents and young children with autism. Use of the drug became widespread as an increasing number of behavioral disorders were identified.

Why Are There Risperdal Lawsuits?

Risperdal LawsuitsThe Risperdal lawsuits allege that the makers of Risperdal knew of the risks that the medication could cause and failed to adequately warn patients of these risks. Further, many litigants claim that Risperdal was aggressively marketed as safe and effective, when in fact it was not. Many patients who were treated with Risperdal have experienced serious side effects, such gynecomastia, which is the growth of female breasts in young men. The drug has also been linked to other side effects such as early puberty in young girls and weight gain. In light of these side effects, Johnson & Johnson continued to market Risperdal as an effective way to treat behavioral disorders in young children.

Contact an Experienced Risperdal Lawyer

Experienced Risperdal LawyerIf you or someone you know has developed gynecomastia after taking the drug Risperdal, you may be able to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering, among other losses. Our firm is working with experienced Risperdal lawyers across the country who are investigating these cases. They may be able to file a Risperdal lawsuit for you, and they charge no fee unless you win an award or settlement. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call our toll free number at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out a contact form online.

Source:

  1. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2683878
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Paul d’Oliveira

Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.

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