AndroGel, Testosterone Therapy Lawsuits Filed Over Heart Risk

Attorneys across the country are filing lawsuits on behalf of men who used AndroGel and other testosterone therapies in light of new information linking the “Low T” products to heart attack, stroke and death in users.

A recent study found that middle-aged men with a history of heart disease and men ages 65 and older were twice as likely to have a heart attack after using prescription testosterone. These lawsuits are alleging that patients were not properly warned about the products’ risks and, as a result, may be able to collect compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering and other damages from the manufacturer. 

Have you suffered from a heart attack? Were you prescribed AndroGel or another testosterone medication? If so, you may have legal recourse. 

Studies Link AndroGel, Testosterone Prescriptions to Blood Clots, Heart Attacks and Strokes

Heart Attack Studies

A recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE tracked more than 50,000 men who were new prescription testosterone users and compared their rates of heart attacks before and after starting use of the products. Researchers found that middle-aged men with a history of heart disease and men ages 65 and older were twice as likely to have a heart attack after using prescription testosterone, the New York Times reported.

Stroke Study

A similar study, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), found that men treated with testosterone therapy were at a 30 percent increased risk of having a heart attack or ischemic stroke, also known as a mini stroke. In this study, researchers administered testosterone in three different forms: gels, injections and patches. Although they reported that the complications were not associated with any one form of administration, it appeared that men were at a higher risk for complications the longer they received testosterone therapy.

In 2009, researchers were forced to discontinue a study on testosterone gel. Originally, they wanted to test whether the gel could help older men build muscle and increase strength, but the study was never completed because some of the participants were experiencing cardiac problems, including heart attacks.

FDA Requires Label Updates on Low T Therapies to Warn of Heart Attack, Stroke Risk

In January 2014, the FDA said that it would be investigating the safety of prescription testosterone therapies following the publication of these studies. After reviewing the studies’ findings, the FDA announced in March 2015 that all makers of prescription testosterone products would be required to update their products’ labels to better warn patients and doctors about the risk of suffering heart attacks and strokes.

In its safety communication, the FDA also noted that these products are being over-prescribed to men suffering from low testosterone due to aging and should only be prescribed to men who have low testosterone levels related to a diagnosed medical condition. Therefore, the FDA said that the labels for these drugs must also be updated to clarify their only approved use.

How Does Prescription Testosterone Cause Heart Attacks?

Prescription testosterone may cause heart attacks, strokes and blood clots because of its influence on red blood cells. When testosterone is administered through a gel, patch, or injection, it can increase the amount of red blood cells in the body. As a result, these blood cells can begin to coagulate, or bunch together, causing the blood to thicken. Coagulation makes it more difficult for blood to flow throughout the body, which can cause high blood pressure and heart problems. Older men may be particularly at risk for these complications, because their arteries may be narrow due to old age or disease.

How Can Filing an AndroGel Lawsuit Help Me?

An AndroGel lawsuit may provide victims with compensation for past and future medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. In the event of death, a lawsuit may also provide compensation for funeral expenses.

It has been reported that AndroGel and other testosterone therapies do not carry warnings for heart attack, stroke or death on their labels. By filing a lawsuit, you may also be able to hold these manufacturers responsible for releasing a product into the marketplace without adequate warnings.

Is This a Class Action?

While some consumers are calling for a class action, AndroGel lawsuits will likely proceed on an individual basis. Class action lawsuits are typically reserved for instances in which a large number of consumers have suffered minor losses, such as the cost of replacing an appliance; however, attorneys believe that men are suited for individual lawsuits because they have incurred substantial losses, which may include costly medical bills.

You can read one of the complaints below:

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