Risperdal’s Manufacturer

Risperdal is manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceutica, which is a subsidiary of the corporate giant Johnson & Johnson. The drug has sold quite successfully, and estimates indicate that Risperdal has generated approximately $2 billion in annual sales.

Risperdal’s Intended Purpose

Risperdal was originally formulated and approved by the FDA for the purpose of helping those who suffer from schizophrenia. The drug, in plain language, allowed the nerves in the brain to communicate with each other more clearly by releasing neurotransmitters. For a time, it proved to be quite successful.

Risperdal’s Side Effects

Risperdal soon became linked to the development of serious side effects, however, and this prompted a small amount of publicity as these reports began to hit the media wires. Basically, Risperdal has been linked to the development of two conditions in patients who were taking the medication: diabetes and hypoglycemia.

Not only are these health problems extremely long-term in nature and dangerous, but if either of them are allowed to persist inside a patient’s body for too long before discovery and treatment, it can eventually lead to organ failure, heart attacks and strokes. If you are experiencing any abnormal feelings or symptoms while taking Risperdal, you need to seek immediate medical attention to make sure that you are not at risk for a serious health problem or even death.

There are other, less dangerous side effects that have been reported by users of Risperdal, and they include:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Chest pain
• Anxiety
• Dizziness

Again, if you are experiencing any abnormal symptoms as a result of taking Risperdal, contact your doctor to schedule an evaluation. If you have been harmed as a result of taking this medication, contact an Oklahoma defective drugs lawyer at Atkins & Markoff immediately to schedule an initial consultation.

FDA Warnings on Risperdal

The FDA has gotten involved with the regulation of Risperdal on two separate occasions. The first occurred in 2003, when the FDA published a warning letter that originated with the manufacturer. The 2003 notice centered on the tendency for Risperdal to lead to the development of diabetes and hypoglycemia, and the letter was intended for medical care providers around the country.

That same year, the FDA also published another warning letter that was disseminated to health care providers from the manufacturer that warned of the potential for a higher tendency for strokes and heart-related issues as a result of taking Risperdal. Ultimately, the labels on Risperdal were changed to include the additional warnings.

Your Legal Rights

If you or someone you love has been harmed as a result of taking Risperdal, you need to contact an Oklahoma defective drugs attorney today to schedule an initial consultation. You do have legal rights and options, and your initial consultation will allow you to make a knowledgeable decision on whether or not to proceed with a claim.

If you and your attorney decide to move forward with a claim, it will most likely proceed under a theory of products liability. This can be a complicated case to prosecute, as you’ll need to prove that you took the medication in question, that the medication was defective, and that the defect present in Risperdal led to your injuries, causing you to incur damages as a result.

However, the Oklahoma defective drugs lawyers at Atkins & Markoff possess a wealth of experience in litigating defective drugs cases, which means that if you move forward, the bulk of your energy will be focused on what’s most important – recovering from your injuries.