Testosterone & Low-T Drug Claims Attorney Philadelphia
Testosterone replacement therapy has been widely marketed to men as a quick and easy way to stave off the effects of aging by increasing low testosterone levels, activating their libido, and increasing their strength and energy. For years doctors have warned of the potential serious side effects of testosterone replacement therapy, such as the formation of blood clot in the lungs and deep veins, stoke, and an increased risk of a heart attack. Currently, there are numerous testosterone products on the market, making testosterone replacement drug therapy a booming billion-dollar industry. Testosterone replacement therapy is often administered through topical gels and creams. Within a few short years hormone therapy has become a popular treatment for men, many of who were not made aware of the serious risks and complications associated with the treatment. In 2011, approximately 5.3 million prescriptions for low-T were written in the United States. The treatment was originally intended as a supplemental therapy for men diagnosed with hypoandrogenism, a condition resulting in abnormally low androgen (testosterone) levels. However, recent aggressive marketing have transformed the usage of low-T supplements into the male version of the fountain of youth. The Philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys at Rosenbaum & Associates has over 25 years experience successfully investigating and representing thousands of injured plaintiffs legal rights throughout the Pennsylvania and New Jersey region. If you or a loved one have used or are currently taking testosterone therapy drugs and have suffered a serious cardiovascular event such as a stroke, blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), blood clot in the deep veins (deep vein thrombosis), or heart attack, you may be entitled to compensation.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in response to the growing concerns and groundbreaking findings released a safety announcement on January 31, 2014. In which the FDA has declared that it will be “investigating the risk of stroke, heart attack, and death in men taking FDA-approved testosterone products. We have been monitoring this risk and decided to reassess this safety issue based on the recent publication of two separate studies…” One such study published in the January 2014 journal of PLOS ONE found a two-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in men aged 65 or older within the first 90 days of beginning testosterone therapy. Similarly, those under the age of 65 who had a history of heart disease had a two- to thee-fold increased risk of heart complications when starting the hormone therapy. The Journal of the American Medical Association, tracked the usage and results of 8,700 men taking testosterone over the course of three years. The study found that nearly 43 percent of men taking the testosterone therapy drug did not suffer from low-T, but rather were taking the drug to combat naturally occurring signs of aging such as muscle loss, decreased bone density, and decreased libido. The study also suggested that those who were given testosterone therapy had a 30 percent increase in their risk of stroke, heart attack, or even death, compared to healthy men who had not taken any testosterone supplements.
Testosterone and Low-T Drugs Under Investigation:
- AndroGel – Manufactured by AbbVie
- AndroDerm – Manufactured by Actavis
- Axiron – Manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company
- Bio-T-Gel – Manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals
- Fortesta – Manufactured by Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Striant – Manufactured by Columbia Laboratories
- Testim – Manufactured by Auxilium Pharmaceuticals
- Testopel – Manufactured by Auxilium Pharmaceuticals
- Delatestryl – Manufactured by Indevus Pharmaceuticals
- Depo-Testosterone- Manufactured by Pharmacia & Upjohn Company
Many pending testosterone therapy lawsuits allege that the companies manufacturing, distributing, and marketing, testosterone replacement drugs failed to adequately warn of negative side effects, and used misleading practices to imply that their products could be used to treat other ailments other than hypogonadism. The FDA has not approved any off-label usage of testosterone replacement therapies and accordingly manufacturers of these products may and can be held liable for injuries caused by their practices.
Contact a Drug Claims Lawyer in Philadelphia
If you or a loved one have taken any testosterone product and experienced adverse side effects, you may be entitled to compensation for the injury caused including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, including a wrongful death claim as a result using testosterone replacement therapy. If you would like more information please contact us online or call 1 800 7 LEGAL 7 for a Free Case Evaluation.