In 2011, more than 5 million prescriptions for testosterone supplements were written to treat hypogonadism, or “Low T” in men. Despite marketing claims of safety and effectiveness, research is revealing a deeper truth indicating that testosterone therapy has a number of negative side effects, including increased risk of heart conditions and strokes. If you have taken testosterone therapy products and have experienced negative side effects, you may be eligible to receive compensation through filing a low T therapy lawsuit.
If you or a family member have been prescribed testosterone therapy and experienced any negative side effects, talk to your doctor about reducing or eliminating this potentially dangerous form of therapy. Then, speak with a testosterone therapy attorney who can help you pursue litigation while protecting others from similar damages.
MANY PATIENTS HAVE NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE RISKS OF TESTOSTERONE THERAPY
Testosterone therapy today can be delivered through a gel, cream, patch, pill, injection, or implant. Although 3-7% of men in the United States are said to be experiencing the effects of low testosterone levels—including erectile dysfunction, reduced libido, and fatigue—others argue that the condition of “Low T” has been created by drug companies to market testosterone products to men who don’t medically need them. Many doctors fail to inform their patients of the risks of testosterone therapy, as the life-altering side effects are only now being researched and studied:
- A fivefold increase in heart attacks compared to men taking placebo drugs
- A 30% increase in strokes, mini-strokes, and blood clots over a three-year period when comparing men with low T levels taking testosterone supplements and those with similar testosterone levels and no supplementation
- A doubled risk of prostate cancer when compared to men not taking testosterone
- Increased frequency of sleep apnea, a condition that increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and depression
2014 MARKS THE BEGINNING OF LITIGATION AGAINST TESTOSTERONE PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS
In January of 2014, following the release of numerous studies showing the statistical correlations between testosterone supplementation and the increased risks of the concerning medical conditions, the FDA initiated an investigation regarding the safety of testosterone therapy. Shortly thereafter, the first of many low T therapy lawsuit cases began cropping up, with the numbers of cases expected to reach into the thousands before the end of the year.
Currently, more than 200 cases are part of a multi-district litigation (MDL) in Illinois against Abbott, AbbVie, Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, and Pharmacia & Upjohn. The defendants claim they were not properly informed of the risks of low T testosterone therapy and have suffered a heart attack, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism as a direct result of their testosterone treatment. In some cases, death has resulted after testosterone treatment, prompting relatives of the deceased to pursue litigation against the manufacturer for fraudulent practices.
AGGRESSIVE OFF-LABEL PROMOTION OF TESTOSTERONE THERAPY ALSO CREATES RISKS
Although testosterone has not been approved for use as an erectile dysfunction drug, at least one product, AndoGel, produced by Abbott, has been frequently marketed to patients requesting information about Viagra. By screening these patients for the potentially fictional condition of “Low T,” doctors have been encouraged to begin recommending otherwise healthy men to start testosterone therapy. In such cases of negligence, patients who have experienced any negative side effects of testosterone are likely candidates to receive compensation from the manufacturers through a low T therapy lawsuit.
TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR, THEN SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY
Submit your case for a free legal review to see if filing a low T therapy lawsuit claim is right for you, or call 800-671-4100 to personally speak to one of the attorneys at Caddell Reynolds.
