A new Risperdal side effects lawsuit has joined others in alleging that the drug caused male breast growth, and even lactation.

This Risperdal side effects lawsuit alleges that plaintiff Shaquil Byrd was prescribed the drug in 2001 through 2008. According to Byrd’s Risperdal lawsuit, he suffered not only Risperdal breast growth, but a related condition called hyperprolactinemia, which involves males lactating. The Risperdal lawsuit said that Byrd required multiple surgeries to correct the painful and embarrassing condition.

Risperdal side effect lawsuits like Byrd’s have made the allegation that Risperdal can cause serious complications, including gynecomastia (male breast growth). The lawsuit holds that the drug is inherently defective and dangerous. Research has indicated that Risperdal can increase the levels of prolactin in male patients. In women, prolactin is a hormone associated with breast development and lactation. While it is naturally present in small amounts in males, it has been alleged that Risperdal can increase these levels, causing males to develop female-like breasts and even produce milk, as in Byrd’s lawsuit.

Byrd’s Risperdal side effects lawsuit goes on to allege that the makers of Risperdal should have been aware of these risks. To support this allegation, Byrd’s lawsuit cites research studies, postmarket surveillance, and FDA statements that have indicated  Risperdal may be associated with gynecomastia. In fact, the FDA has even mandated labeling changes to include information about the risk of male breast grown among patients taking Risperdal. Byrd’s Risperdal side effects lawsuit states that drug makers continued to promote Risperdal, exposing patients like Byrd to the risk of gynecomastia and other complications.

Byrd’s Risperdal side effects lawsuit has joined others in a type of group lawsuit called a multidistrict litigation, or an MDL. MDLs are a coordinated group of similar lawsuit. In some ways, they are similar to class action lawsuits. In both MDLs and class action lawsuits, a group of plaintiffs allege that they have suffered similar harm at the hands of the same defendants. The main difference is that class action lawsuits start out as group lawsuits, while MDLs start out as individual suits which are later coordinated into a single MDL.

The individual lawsuit is formally titled Shaquil Byrd, v. Janssen Pharmaceutical Incorporated, et al., Case No. 1:14-CV-820-GTS/RFT, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. It could be included in the MDL In Re: Risperdal Litigation, Case No. 100300296, in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.