Anti-Psychotic Drug Marketed Improperly, Lawsuit Says

Source: The Morning News (NW Arkansas)

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel on Tuesday sued a New Jersey-based company and its subsidiaries alleging improper marketing practices.

The lawsuit, filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court, asked the companies be ordered to repay millions Arkansas' Medicaid program paid for what the attorney general contends were unnecessary prescriptions of the drug Risperdal, used to treat bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and autism.

Drug companies named in the lawsuit were Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc., Janssen LP and their parent company, Johnson & Johnson.

The drug companies "made, and continue to make, orally and in writing, false, misleading or deceptive representations in advertisements, promotions and statements ... and continue to disseminate, false, misleading or deceptive information to the public, including Arkansas citizens, physicians and the state regarding non-medically necessary uses of Risperdal and the health risks and the benefits associated with Risperdal," the lawsuit said.


Read more: http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2007/11/20/news/112107arantipsych.txt

Being bipolar, I've been given several of these drugs. For weight gain and metabolic syndrome (which leads to the diabetes, etc.), Zyprexa is actually far worse than Risperdal.

I've seen psychiatrists giving Seroquel and other atypical antipsychotics for simple generalized anxiety disorder, which is horrendous. This class of drugs is specifically for bipolar mania, schizophrenia, etc., NOT for depression or anxiety. There are far more effective medications--WITHOUT such extreme side effects--that can be prescribed.

I know that, when I was switched to Neurontin, I had far better results. Plus, I lost the 40 pounds I'd gained on Zyprexa, and my cholesterol levels dropped back down to normal.

These should be drugs of last resort, NOT the first line of treatment.

but Risperdal has been very helpful for my daughter, whose autistic spectrum disorder has a high anxiety component. The resulting increase in serutonin and other brain chemistry modifications has enabled her to "keep her cool", be more resilient and flexible, and generally happier and responsive to the outside world.

Since she isn't a "classic autistic", as many, if not most, on the spectrum are not, further understanding of the underlying disease causes would be necessary to identify when such drugs are appropriate and efficacious.

That is why those taking such medications must be closely monitored by somebody who cares and notices changes, and a trial period to test for efficacy is often the only way to know if a particular drug is useful in a particular person.

started having dyskinesia with it after taking it successfully for several years. We hated giving it up, but the Seroquel seems to be working as well, and with a dosage far less than the per kilo max for Risperdal.

"Better living through chemistry" has been an appropo adage in this home.

3 mg over the course of the day.

I will keep your alternative in mind, should the need arise, though. Thanks!

Or severely mentally impaired children whose behavior is similar to severe autism.

It can help them focus, and learn some communicative skills. Of course, not every drug works for every person, but for those who it does work for, it's a good thing.