Risperdal Can Have Troubling Side Effects in Boys

[Guest guest]

http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/11/25/risperdal-can-have-troubling-side-effects\

-in-boys/

 

Risperdal Can Have Troubling Side Effects in Boys

 

Concerns about side effects of the potent antipsychotic Risperdal in kids are

one reason for the intense interest in & ’s funding of an

academic institute that aimed to support use of the drug in youngsters.

Side effects are especially worrisome for young people, whose bodies are still

developing. Several doctors, concerned about overprescribing of Risperdal in

children, made that point last week at an FDA meeting. The FDA’s Tom Laughren,

who runs the psychiatric medicines division, didn’t see a need to strengthen

warnings on the drug, despite calls to do so from some doctors at the meeting.

One particularly troubling side effect is the growth of breasts in some male

patients taking Risperdal. Steve Sheller, a lawyer in Philadelphia, represents

six teenage boys seeking compensation from J & J after they developed breasts

while taking Risperdal. Sheller says their problems stem from prolactin, a

hormone involved in lactation, that can be elevated in males and females who

take the medicine. Two of the boys he represents required mastectomies to get

rid of their bosoms.

The company has denied in court papers that it is culpable for the plaintiffs’

injuries, has taken part in any “misrepresentations, omissions, suppression or

concealment†of negative information about possible side effects from the drug

in their warnings to consumers.

Risperdal’s label mentions the possibility of elevated prolactin levels and

also gynecomastia, growth of breasts in boys and men. The company, said in a

emailed statement to the Health Blog, that the Risperdal label warns about the

risk of gynecomastia, seen in 2.3% of children and adolescents in clinical

trials.

P. Murali Doraiswamy, a Duke psychiatrist and co-author of a study with FDA

scientists on antipsychotics and prolactin, says changes in the hormone can’t

be considered harmless. In his research, Risperdal had the strongest link with

gynecomastia in children and adolescents of any of the newer antipsychotic

drugs–accounting for 70% of the cases analyzed. He has also found that some

girls taking Risperdal begin to lactate before they reach puberty. Doraiswamy

isn’t consulting for lawyers and isn’t part of this suit.

Love, Gabby. :0)

http://stemcellforautism.blogspot.com/

 

" I know of nobody who is purely Autistic or purely neurotypical. Even God had

some Autistic moments, which is why the planets all spin. " ~ Jerry Newport

 

 

[Guest guest]

I think the osteoporosis is a significant problem as well.

Kathy on

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