Testosterone replacement therapy treatments such as Androgel and Axiron have been linked to increased risks of heart attack, stroke and other severe health complications. Additional long-term side effects are still being investigated.
If you or someone you love has suffered after taking one of these medications, our Cincinnati testosterone therapy lawyers. Contact the experienced team of defective product attorneys at O'Connor, Acciani and Levy to learn more about recovering compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, mental anguish, funeral expenses, and more.
Because we work on a contingency fee basis, we charge no legal fees unless you get the compensation you deserve.
Testosterone Therapy Side Effects
Whether it is to improve their sex drive or help build muscle, testosterone therapy use among older and middle-aged men has tripled since 2001.
A study published recently by
PLOS ONE, a peer-reviewed journal issued by the Public Library of Science, examined 56,000 men taking testosterone replacement therapies.
The results reflected that men being treated for low testosterone had double the risk of heart attack if they were over the age of 65, and that risk was nearly tripled in young men who had a prior history of heart disease.
The most serious side effects caused by Androgel, Axiron, Testim and other testosterone therapy treatments include:
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Heart attack or myocardial infarction
- Pulmonary embolism
- Stroke
If you have experienced any of these side effects after taking one of these drugs, our Cincinnati lawyers could help you seek compensation through a testosterone therapy lawsuit.
FDA Warnings and Adverse Events
In 2013, the National Cancer Institute and University of California, Los Angeles, studied testosterone use among 56,000 men. The study concluded that men over the age of 65 had a twofold risk of heart attack and men under age 65 with a history of heart disease were at three times the risk.
An additional study published in the
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism in early 2014 noted that although testosterone use has increased among older men in the past decade, many patients do not meet the clinical guidelines for treatment.
According to Daily Med, in association with the National Library of Medicine and National Institute for Health, there have been at least two reports of Androgel users developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This condition occurs when blood thickens and clumps together forming a clot in a vein deep in the body. Most deep vein blood clots occur in the lower leg or thigh.
A DVT can break off and travel through the blood stream into an artery in the lungs and block blood flow; this is known as a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism is very serious and can cause organ damage and death.
In Jan. 2014 the FDA announced that they would be investigating the risk of stroke, heart attack and death in men taking testosterone replacement therapies. The investigation was prompted by the publication of these studies.
Despite these studies, manufacturers of low T medications have failed to warn consumers about the risks associated with taking them. Because of this, our experienced team can help you get the compensation you deserve through a testosterone therapy lawsuit.
Misleading Marketing Practices
According to an article on low testosterone in
The New York Times, drug manufacturers spent more than $107 million advertising testosterone therapy throughout the United States in 2012.
Advertisements in print and on television typically provided a checklist of questions such as Do you lack energy? and Do you have decreased sex drive? Consumers were then advised to ask their doctor about low testosterone.
Although low testosterone commonly occurs with aging, testosterone therapy is recommended only to men who have explicitly low testosterone levels which can be discovered through a blood test. However, a report published in the
Journal of American Medical Association found that only about a quarter of men had their levels tested before receiving the hormone replacement medication.
Additionally, some studies estimate that only about 30 percent of men ages 40 to 79 actually have a true deficiency. As marketing efforts and sales increase, many physicians are worried that men are being prescribed testosterone without a real need for it.
If you have been affected by the use of testosterone therapy medications like Testim, Androgel or Axiron, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries, pain and suffering you experienced. Contact our Cincinnati testosterone therapy lawyers.
At
O'Connor, Acciani & Levy, we have the resources and legal knowledge to fight the manufacturers in your defense. With more than 30 years of legal experience, you can rest assured that you have chosen a firm with the knowledge and experience you need to successfully protect your rights.
With more than seven offices located throughout Ohio and Northern Kentucky, we are ready to help you file a testosterone therapy lawsuit today.
