Johnson & Johnson may illegally market Risperdal for off label uses.

This is an investigation and a pending class action lawsuit filed against Johnson & Johnson and Janssen, L.P. alleging that the companies illegally market and promote their pharmaceutical, Risperdal, for 'off-label' uses - that is, for uses not approved by the FDA.

The alleged scheme includes off-label promotion for indications such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, anxiety, sleep disorders, anger management, Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Tourette's Syndrome. The national class action complaint alleges that Johnson & Johnson and Janssen controlled, monitored and/or directed various marketing firms, physicians and ghostwriters to promote and disseminate - through sponsored events and publications - misleading messages about the efficacy relating to the off-label use of Risperdal. The complaint also alleges that in 2006, approximately sixty-six percent of the prescriptions for Risperdal were for off-label use, helping to propel sales. Although less expensive alternatives to Risperdal were available on the market, Johnson & Johnson and Janssen's scheme forced consumers to pay higher co-payments and out-of-pocket costs for Risperdal.

Risperdal has been approved to treat schizophrenia in adults and adolescents ages 13-17 years; acute manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder in adults; short-term treatment of bipolar mania associated with manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder in children and adolescents ages 10-17 years; and irritability associated with autistic disorder in children and adolescents ages 5-16 years.

Do not change medications without first consulting your doctor.