We’ve all seen the low testosterone (“Low T”) replacement therapy TV commercials and advertisements in magazines or on the Internet. Several pharmaceutical drug companies are literally selling and pedaling around a type of “fountain of youth” in order to entice older men into taking Low T replacement therapies. These men may be experiencing what is often described as “male menopause,” when the male hormone testosterone declines As men get older, they may experience the following symptoms associated with aging: drops in bone density, decreased muscle mass, hair loss, depression, low energy, erectile dysfunction, and low sex drive. Not surprisingly, low testosterone levels may also affect younger men in their 30’s when testosterone levels naturally begin declining.

Low T replacement therapies come in several forms including, gels, solutions, injections, pills, patches, and even pellets, which are all, approved by the FDA. According to a 2010 New England Journal of Medicine study, men older than 65 suffering from low levels of testosterone who took testosterone gel for 6 months gained muscle strength and endurance. However, some of these testosterone users either experienced a heart attack, a blocked artery requiring treatment, or died of heart problems during the study. Perhaps due to this study among two others conducted by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in November 2013, the FDA announced on January 31, 2014 that it would be investigating Low T replacement therapy products for risk of stroke, heart attack, and death. The JAMA studies showed that men who already had coronary artery disease who started taking testosterone increased their risk of death, stroke, or heart attack and those men above 65 who took the testosterone replacement that did not have any coronary artery disease, doubled their risk of having a heart attack.

Shortly thereafter the FDA announcement in 2014, the first wave of lawsuits were filed against the manufacturers of the Low T replacement therapies AndroGel, Androderm, and Testim. Plaintiffs suffered from heart attacks and strokes and claimed the companies mislead consumers, overstated the benefits of this product, and minimized the serious health effects of AndroGel. Essentially these men alleged in their lawsuits that the manufacturers failed to adequately warn them about the risks associated with taking this type of drug. The United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation eventually transferred the federal lawsuits to the Northern District of Illinois (MDL No. 2545) in the summer 2014. After consolidation of these cases, the FDA made additional announcements that the pharmaceutical drug companies manufacturing Low T replacement therapies should include warnings on their labels about the risks of blood clots and that these companies should further assess the cardiovascular risks associated with using such therapies. According to the US Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation there are more than 280 Low T lawsuits pending. More filings are anticipated in 2015.

Lundy Law: Experienced With Taking On The Pharmaceutical Drug Companies On Behalf Of Drug Injury Victims

If you or a loved one has taken any Low T therapy products and have suffered a serious side effect from using these such as heart attack, stroke, or blood clot, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the manufacturers of these products. Please contact Lundy Law Drug Injury Lawyers today at 1(800) LUNDYLAW® to discuss what legal options you may have against the pharmaceutical drug companies. We have represented countless victims that have suffered drug injuries at the hands of pharmaceutical companies who put profits over health and safety. Our team of legal advocates will attentively examine your claims with dedication, respect and the highest of care.