NEW YORK (AFX) - Janssen L.P., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, said late Friday the Food and Drug Administration approved its anti-psychotic drug Risperdal for the treatment of irritability associated with autism.
The company said the drug may now be prescribed to treat the aggression, self-injury and temper tantrums that often accompany autism.
The drug is already approved to treat schizophrenia and for short-term treatment of bipolar mania.
Shares of Johnson & Johnson fell 5 cents to close at $65.06 on the New York Stock Exchange, and were up $1.42, or 2.2 percent, at $66.50 in after-hours trading on the INET electronic exchange.
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