The evidence in the previous section clearly suggests that taking Risperdal can lead to serious side effects, particularly hyperprolactinemia and gynecomastia. However, can Janssen Pharmaceuticals (and parent company Johnson & Johnson) really be held responsible for these issues? Did they know about these risks when they promoted the use of the drug? Before we can answer these questions, we must first explore the history of the drug's development, release and marketing.
Risperdal: Janssen's Cash Cow
The primary goal of any pharmaceutical company is to increase profits by creating a drug that satisfies a consumer need or desire. Johnson & Johnson (and their subsidiary Janssen) created Risperdal for this purpose. However, before they could market the drug and start making money, they had to obtain approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
- 1993: The FDA first approved Risperdal to treat psychiatric problems in adults.
- 2002: The FDA revised this recommendation and cleared the drug for "treatment of schizophrenia" in adults.
- 2003: The FDA approved Risperdal for the short-term treatment of manic episodes brought on by bipolar disorder.
- 2006: The FDA approved Risperdal for the treatment of autistic children.
- 2007: The FDA approved the drug as a treatment for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in children and adolescents.
Based on the timeline above, it seems like the drug companies did everything right. However, the journey to Risperdal's FDA approvals was anything but simple. We will discuss the journey and your legal recourse options in our next post.
If you believe that you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of gynecomastia after using Risperdal and are interested in pursuing legal action as a result, contact the team here at Marc Whitehead & Associates, LLP by calling 855-423-3666. We will be happy to review your case and explain your options.
For more information regarding the harm of Risperdal, download a free copy of our e-book, Risperdal: The Shocking Truth-Marketing Fraud Adds Up to Billion$ While Boys & Young Men are Irreparably Harmed. Be sure to check back each week for more updated information on the legal battle against the manufacturers of Risperdal.