Testosterone Lawsuit Help
The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg is currently assisting men who may have suffered serious side effects from testosterone therapy, including heart attack or stroke. If you or a loved one was prescribed testosterone and would like a free testosterone lawsuit evaluation, please fill out the easy to use Testosterone Lawsuit Evaluation Form found on this page. You can also call us toll free, 24/7 at 877-934-6274. Let us help you take the first steps toward seeking compensation for your injuries.
Testosterone Products May Increase Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke, and Death
Although the FDA has approved testosterone products for use by men with low testosterone levels (referred to in pharmaceutical advertising as “Low T”), the FDA has been monitoring the possible heath risks associated with those products. In a testosterone safety alert dated January 31, 2014, the FDA warned the medical community and consumers, that it is actively investigating whether, and to whom, these testosterone-containing products should continue to be prescribed. The FDA’s announcement was prompted by recent findings from two separate medical studies, each of which suggested an increased risk of cardiovascular events – stroke, heart attack, and death – among groups of men prescribed testosterone.
The first study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in November 2013*. The researchers observed more than 8,700 older men in the U.S. Veteran Affairs health system with low serum testosterone. Some of the men received testosterone treatment while others did not. The data compiled in the study found a 30 percent increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in the group that had been prescribed testosterone therapy.
A second study was published in January 2014** by PLOS (Public Library of Science), a non-profit publisher and advocacy organization. The PLOS study, which reviewed a healthcare database that included 56,000 men, reported an increased risk of non-fatal heart attack (myocardial infarction) in older men, as well as in younger men with pre-existing heart disease, who filled a prescription for testosterone therapy. The study reported the risk of heart attack among men aged 65 years and older in the first 90 days following the first testosterone prescription was double the rate of those who did not receive testosterone. Among men younger than 65 years old with a pre-existing history of heart disease, the study reported a two-to three-fold increased risk of heart attack in the first 90 days following a first prescription.
The FDA will communicate any new conclusions or recommendations when its evaluation is complete. The agency also stated that “Patients should not stop taking prescribed testosterone products without first discussing any questions or concerns with their health care professionals. Health care professionals should consider whether the benefits of FDA-approved testosterone treatment is likely to exceed the potential risks of treatment.”
Potential Testosterone Side Effects
Other potential risks associated with the use of testosterone therapy include:
- Blood clots
- Enlargement of the prostate
- Acceleration of pre-existing prostate cancer
- Increase in the volume of red blood cells (hematocrit), which can lead to stroke
- Exacerbation of sleep apnea
- Infertility caused by sperm suppression
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Why is Testosterone Prescribed?
Testosterone products are FDA-approved only for use by men who lack testosterone or have very low testosterone levels, and are only approved for use in patients who have an associated medical condition. Examples of these conditions include failure of the testicles to produce testosterone because of reasons such as genetic problems, chemotherapy, and problems with brain structures that control the production of testosterone (the hypothalamus and pituitary).
Testosterone products are not approved for use in men with low testosterone levels who lack an associated medical condition.
Are Testosterone Products Over Promoted to Consumers?
Although testosterone therapy is intended only for men with seriously low testosterone levels and an associated medical condition, there is concern that pharmaceutical companies are heavily promoting testosterone as a cure-all for low energy, low libido, depression, and other ills among middle-aged men. Through an advertising strategy known as “direct to consumer advertising” drug companies are promoting both the use of testosterone products and the need for testosterone level testing. The medical community and consumer safety advocacy groups are concerned that these costly advertising campaigns on television, radio, and in print media have resulted in the overuse of testosterone products; the fear is the manufactured hype surrounding these products is resulting in their use by many men who should not be taking testosterone.
Testosterone Products and Manufacturers
Testosterone can be administered in a variety of ways, including topical gel, transdermal patch, buccal system (applied to upper gum or inner cheek) and injection.
Testosterone products are marketed by a number of pharmaceutical companies under various brand names. Some of the more popular products currently on the market and their manufacturers are:
- Androderm, Watson Labs
- AndroGel, AbbVie Inc.
- Axiron, Eli Lilly & Co.
- Fortesta, Endo Pharmaceuticals
- Striant, Actient Pharmaceuticals
- Testim, Auxilium Pharmaceuticals
Obtain a Free Testosterone Lawsuit Evaluation
Since 1984, Attorney Eric Weinberg has represented personal injury victims, including those injured by dangerous pharmaceutical products such as Baycol, Vioxx, OrthoEvra, Yaz, Vaginal Mesh, Pradaxa, and blood clotting products. We are ready to help you. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries related to the use of testosterone, including heart attack, stroke, or death you may be entitled to financial compensation. For a free and non-obligatory testosterone lawsuit evaluation, please call The Weinberg Law Firm 24/7, toll free at 1-877-934-6274.
References
*Vigen R, O’Donnell CI, Baron AE, et al. Association of testosterone therapy with mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke in men with low testosterone levels. JAMA. 2013;310(17):1829-1836.
**Finkle, WD, Greenland S, Ridgeway GK, et al. Increased risks of non-fatal myocardial infarction following testosterone therapy prescription in men. PLoS ONE 9(1): e85805. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0085805 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24489673. Accessed February 21, 2014.
