The Risperdal and Invega Lawsuits
Risperdal, also known by its generic name as risperidone, is developed by Janssen-Cilag, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson (J&J). It is used to treat children with autisms or as antipyschotics.
Johnson and Johnson had been facing lawsuits from around the states because of the hidden side effects of Risperdal such as gynecomastia.
The case of Austin Pledger against J & J is one the most talked about lawsuit regarding Risperdal. He was awarded $2.5 million because he developed man boobs that are 46DD in size after prolonged intake of such medicine for autism. He began taking it at age 8 in 2002. However, FDA only approved its use for children and adolescents in 2006.
Another notable case is that Nicholas Murray, unlike Austin, he took the drug after it was approved by FDA in 2006 for children and adolescents. He was awarded $1.75 million in a trial by jury which began in October 2015.
Invega Sustenna (with the generic name paliperidone) as an antipsychotic medication is used to treat schizophrenia disorders in adolescents and adults. It is an active metabolite of Risperdal.
Boys who took Invega had suffered breast enlargement that compelled them to file lawsuits. Suits alleged that Invega was inadequately labelled. The risk of developing man boobs was hid from the consumers.
In 2013, to avoid prosecution J&J paid $2.2 billion in fines and penalties to U.S. Department of Justice.
The Propecia Lawsuits
Propecia (with the generic name finasteride) is a prescription treatment for male baldness. It works by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase that decreases the conversion of testosterone. Recently, this popular brand manufactured by Merck faced lawsuits alleging that it caused male breast enlargement. It is also alleged that the makers were negligent in not giving warning to the consumers of the side effects of such treatment.
Gynecomastia has been tied with the sexual side effects such as erectile dysfunction of Propecia as alleged in court cases. It is alleged that even after medication, men still suffered from the side effects.
As early as 1995, researchers from The American Journal of the Medical Sciences had identified that even after men stopped using Propecia, enlargement of their breasts had afflicted them for at least six years.
In 2012, The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) coordinated the lawsuits and assigned Judge John Gleeson to handle the federal cases. An estimate of 150 lawsuits is pending and it is expected that similar lawsuits are yet to be filed.
In New Jersey, more than 200 lawsuits were filed. In 2012, the New Jersey Supreme Court also decided to centralize the lawsuits and assigned Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Jessica Myer to the case.
The Proscar Lawsuits
Proscar is manufactured by Merck to treat enlarged prostate. FDA approved its use in 1992.
Due to the prevention of conversion of testosterone, the hormonal imbalance it produces might lead to gynecomastia. According to its Prescribing Information, at least 1% of users developed breast enlargement.
Over one thousand (1,000) lawsuits have been filed involving Propecia and Proscar which are both manufactured by Merck.
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