AndroGel Lawyers Reviewing Cases for Heart Attacks, Strokes, Wrongful Death and Problems for Children
The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential product liability lawsuits for men throughout the United States who have suffered heart problems and other side effects of AndroGel testosterone gel, including:
- Heart Attack
- Stroke
- Blood Clots (DVT, Pulmonary Embolism)
- Sudden Death
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Cases are also being evaluated on behalf of children who suffered problems from AndroGel secondary exposure, after coming into contact with the testosterone gel on their father or another adult male.
Financial compensation may be available through an AndroGel lawsuit as a result of the manufacturer’s failure to adequately warn about the potential testosterone gel side effects. To review a potential claim for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
ANDROGEL SIDE EFFECTS
AndroGel (testosterone topical gel 1% and 1.62%) is a prescription medication approved for testosterone deficiency. It is sold by AbbieVie, Inc., a spin-off of Abbott Laboraties, and has become a blockbuster drug with annual sales in excess of $1 billion.
Originally introduced in 2000 as AndroGel 1%, a higher-dose version was version was approved in 2011 as AndroGel 1.62%.
In recent years, use of AndroGel testosterone replacement therapy has increased dramatically amid direct-to-consumer advertisements and other campaigns designed to create a market for treatment of “Low T”, describing problems that are experienced by all men at certain times.
Men are encouraged to seek a prescription medication for “Low T” if they experience symptoms like diminished sex-drive, weight gain, tiredness, sadness, falling asleep after dinner and other issues that can have a variety of causes other than testosterone deficiency.
Many of the AndroGel ads use the slogan “It was a Number” to suggest that testing demonstrated low testosterone levels for users who benefited from AndroGel. However, decreased testosterone levels are natural as men age, falling about 1% per year after the age of 30.
There is nothing to suggest that symptoms described in these ads are anything but normal for most men.
According to a January 2014 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, many men receive AndroGel and other testosterone treatments without any real medical need for the prescription.
Although clinical practice guidelines (PDF) issued by the Endocrine Society call for AndroGel prescriptions only for men with unequivocally low testosterone levels and a clinical diagnosis of androgen deficiencey, many men receive testosterone gel after a single test or when levels are considered normal
This widespread overuse of AndroGel exposes more men to a risk of serious and potentially life-threatening health problems. If adequate warnings had been provided about the risk of AndroGel side effects, many men would have chosen to avoid the prescription testosterone gel treatment.
AndroGel Heart Attack, Stroke Risks
Although the drug makers knew or should have known that certain men may face a risk of heart problems from AndroGel, information has been withheld from consumers and the medical community.
AndroGel testosterone therapy may cause some men to suffer heart attacks, strokes and wrongful death.
In 2009, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health involving 200 older men with a high prevalence of heart disease was stopped early due to a spike in the rate of heart attacks among those taking testosterone.
Concerns about the potential AndroGel heart attack risk were further increased in November 2013, when a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that men with an average age of 60 who underwent a coronary angiography had a 29% higher rate of heart attacks, strokes and death when they were given AndroGel or other testosterone therapy.
In January 2014, a study published in the medical journal PLOS One found that side effects of AndroGel and other testosterone treatments double the risk of heart attacks among men over the age of 65. For younger men with a history of pre-existing heart disease, the researchers indicated that the heart attack risk may be nearly tripled.
Despite mounting evidence about the risk of AndroGel problems, the drug maker has placed their desire for profits before consumer safety by continuing to aggressively market the low testosterone gel without providing accurate and complete warnings about the risk of heart attacks, strokes and wrongful death from AndroGel.
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AndroGel Problems for Children
In addition to AndroGel lawsuits for men who suffered heart injuries, the product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are also investigating the potential for cases on behalf of children who experienced problems from AndroGel exposure that was accidental.
AndroGel is applied through the use of a gel pump bottle, which is sprayed onto the upper arm. However, reports have suggested that this testosterone gel may cause serious health problems for young children if it rubs off.
In September 2009, an AndroGel black box warning was added about the risk of early puberty and other problems for children exposed to testosterone gel, including:
- Changes in Genital Size
- Inappropriate Growth of Pubic Hair
- Increased Libido Among Children
- Aggressive Behavior
- Other Hormone Problems
Amid continued concerns about the risks for children exposed to AndroGel and other testosterone products, a Medication Guide was developed in November 2011, which discussed the black box warnings.
It appears that the makers of AndroGel knew or should have known about the risks for children before the medication was ever introduced, and additional steps could have been taken to protect the health of kids who may come in contact with AndroGel accidentally.
AndroGel Class Action Lawyers
The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk are reviewing potential AndroGel class action lawsuits and individual injury claims on behalf of individuals throughout the United States.
As a result of the manufacturers’ apparent decision to place their desire for profits before the safety of consumers and their families, many individuals have suffered a serious and sometimes fatal AndroGel injury that may have been avoided. As a result of a heart attack or stroke from AndroGel, men could be left with substantial medical expenses and an overall decreased quality of life.
In tragic cases where a fatal stroke or heart attack may have been occurred, families may be entitled to benefits through an AndroGel wrongful death lawsuit.
All cases are reviewed by the AndroGel lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. under a contingency fee agreement, which means that there are never any out-of-pocket costs to hire our law firm. We receive no expenses or attorney fees unless financial compensation is obtained for an injury from AndroGel or another testosterone replacement therapy.