Mark & Associates, P.C. Attorneys At Law

Risperdal Linked to Blood Sugar Disorders

Risperdal (generic: risperidone), made by Jannsen Pharmaceutica / Johnson & Johnson, was approved in 1993 as a short-term treatment of schizophrenia in adults. In 2003, it was approved as a short-term treatment for adults with acute manic or mixed episodes with extreme mood swings. In October 2006, Risperdal was approved for the treatment of irritability in autistic children and adolescents. Risperdal is widely prescribed off-label for many disorders.

Risperdal is an atypical antipsychotic medication. These newer drugs were developed because older antipsychotics had many unwanted motor side effects, in particular, tardive dyskenisia. While the newer atypicals do appear to be effective at treatment of the symptoms associated with schizophrenia and mania, they are associated with serious side effects including diabetes, hyperglycemia and other blood sugar disorders.

Risperdal Side Effects: Diabetes & Other Blood Sugar Disorders

A study by the Department of Veterans Affairs at the University of Illinois at Chicago comparing newer atypical antipsychotics to their older counterparts looked at medical records from 19,878 veterans treated with one of the drugs between October 1998 and October 2001. Of 5,981 veterans who took Zyprexa, 200, or 3.34 percent, developed diabetes. This was compared with 170, or 2.43 percent, of 7,009 veterans taking Haldol or another older antipsychotic medication. Of 5,901 patients taking Risperdal, 193, or 3.27 percent, developed diabetes. Of those taking Seroquel, 21, or 2.39 percent, of 877 patients developed diabetes. Risperdal, Zyprexa and Seroquel all raised a patient's chances of developing diabetes by about 50 percent.

The FDA asked manufacturers of all atypical antipsychotic drugs to add a warning to the drugs' labels about the increased risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes. Hyperglycemia, in some cases extreme and associated with ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar coma or death, has been reported in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics, including Risperdal.

Legal Rights For Risperdal Patients

• Did you or a family member take Risperdal and suffer from diabetes or another blood sugar disorder? If so, you have legal rights and are encouraged to contact Mark & Associates, P.C. today for a FREE legal consultation about your potential case.
• Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Zyprexa, another atypical antipsychotic, has already settled with patients due to the risk of diabetes associated with its schizophrenia drug.
• Mark & Associates, P.C. takes all Risperdal cases on contingency, meaning that there will be NO legal fees unless we win or settle your case.
• Call 1-866-50-RIGHTS (1-866-507-4448) to speak with a defective drug lawyer at our firm today, or fill out our online case form.