La. Woman Says Janssen's Risperdal Caused Her Son's Diabetes

LAFAYETTE, La. - A Louisiana woman sued Janssen Pharmaceutica on April 21, claiming her son contracted diabetes after taking its antipsychotic drug, Risperdal, for seven years. Smith v. Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc. No. 6:05-cv-0703 (W.D. La.).

Plaintiff Lashondra Smith contends her son, Michael White, developed Type I diabetes after he took Risperdal (risperidone) from 1996 to 2003. She claims that Michael suffered extreme pain, emotional distress, mental anguish and disability of disfigurement.

Smith says the drug's warnings were not accurate.

'The warnings given did not accurately reflect the symptoms, scope, frequency or severity of such injuries,' Smith said. 'Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc. …