National Cancer Institute, NIH and UCLA studies showed that out of a group of 55,000 men, participants over age 65 with a history of heart disease had twice the rate of heart attacks after using testosterone therapy drugs.
The American Medical Association showed similar results in patients who were older or had a history of heart disease, the rate of heart attack, stroke, or death was 29 percent higher after using testosterone medication.
In early 2014, the FDA announced that it was launching an investigation into the risks of heart attacks, stroke, and death in men taking TRT drugs. The investigation is ongoing and there is no recall.
Experts estimate that testosterone therapy is a $2 billion industry with more than 5.5 million patients and counting.
Male testosterone production can play a vital role in the development and maintenance of muscle and bone mass, sexual vitality, and hair growth.
In the last decade, the popularity of testosterone therapy drugs has skyrocketed. However, reports show that these medications are being inappropriately prescribed and could cause heart attacks, strokes, or other serious conditions.
Common testosterone therapy drugs include gel roll-ons like Axiron and AndroGel. The FDA has approved these medications for the treatment of documented low testosterone levels only, a condition commonly referred to as “low-T.” However, aggressive marketing campaigns have led millions of men to seek out prescriptions for other conditions, such as stress, fatigue, or low sex drive. A recent study found that as many as 43 percent of patients using the hormone supplements had normal testosterone levels.
Research shows that low-T medications like AndroGel are being inappropriately and unsafely prescribed.
Patients using AndroGel with a normal testosterone level may have a higher risk of suffering a testosterone-related stroke, heart attack, or even death.
A stroke is a brain injury caused by a blood clot or damaged blood vessel that restricts the flow of fresh oxygen to the brain. This can cause severe damage to brain cells, resulting in loss of mental abilities and functions, physical capabilities, or even death.
Some risk factors include advanced age, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, and poor nutrition. A stroke can cause significant, lasting brain damage if left untreated. Therefore, it is important to recognize stroke symptoms and seek immediate medical attention.
A heart attack occurs when a blockage restricts the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of the heart muscle. If oxygen is not quickly restored, that part of the heart can begin to shut down and stop working. Heart attacks are a leading cause of death for men in the United States.
One side effect of low-T drugs like AndroGel is the increased production of red blood cells, which can cause blood to thicken. This dangerous effect can cause heart attacks in older patients or those with a history of heart disease or other risk factors.
Reports suggest the makers of AndroGel and other low-T drugs knew years prior that these medications could increase the risks of heart attacks but did not add appropriate warning labels.
New research shows that, in many instances, low-T drugs are being over-prescribed and may increase the rate of testosterone-related stroke, heart attack, or death for some patients.
AndroGel is a clear, colorless topical gel that was approved by the FDA in 2000 to treat low testosterone in males. Men can apply AndroGel by rubbing it on their shoulders, upper arms, or abdomen.
The makers of AndroGel, AbbVie and Abbott, have warned patients of many severe side effects:
In addition, recent studies have shown that AndroGel and other testosterone therapy drugs may significantly increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, other cardiovascular disease, or death. The manufacturers failed to warn Androgel users of these life-threatening side effects, and experts predict that thousands of patients may have been unknowingly affected.
Axiron is a testosterone replacement therapy drug sold in the United States by Eli Lilly & Co. While other low-T medications use gels, patches or injections, Axiron can be applied as a roll-on, similar to a deodorant. This has made it one the most popular low-T options.
Recently, the FDA and other industry experts advised that using this medication may cause increased rates of heart attack or stroke in some men. Eli Lilly & Co. now faces legal action because it did not properly warn consumers of these serious risks.
Common Axiron side effects:
However, it is the company’s failure to warn consumers of the increased risks of heart attack and stroke that has experts concerned that thousands of men may have suffered injury without knowing the cause.
New research shows that, in many instances, low-T drugs are being over-prescribed and may increase the rate of testosterone-related stroke, heart attack, or death for some patients.
A stroke is an injury caused by blood clot or damaged blood vessel that restricts the flow of fresh oxygen to the brain. This can cause severe damage or death to brain cells, resulting in the loss of mental abilities and functions, bodily functions, or even death.
Some risk factors include advanced age, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, and poor nutrition. A stroke can cause significant brain damage if left untreated.
Therefore, it is important to recognize stroke symptoms and make sure a patient receives medical attention as soon as possible.
Common signs of stroke:
Federal lawsuits against the manufacturers of low-T drugs will be consolidated into the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, where the first lawsuits were filed in 2014.
In five of the original claims against the manufacturers of low-T drugs, three men said that they suffered heart attacks, a fourth man said he had a stroke, and a fifth said he had a mini-stroke
Earlier in 2014, the FDA launched an investigation into the safety and side effects of medications like AndroGel, Axiron, and other similar testosterone therapies. Those using low-T medications are urged to speak with their medical providers about these side effects and other health risks. Lawyers are also helping individuals who have suffered a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiac issue file lawsuits to recover their damages.
DrugNews only recommends lawyers experienced with defective drug lawsuits. For more information regarding the research, warnings, litigation or side effects of testosterone drugs, or to speak with a lawyer, contact us today.
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