Plaintiffs have been filing lawsuits against AbbVie, Inc., the manufacturer of AndroGel, because they allege that they have suffered blood clots as a result of using this medication. AndroGel is one of the most popularly prescribed testosterone replacement therapy drugs on the market. One lawsuit in particular that was filed recently in North Carolina alleges that the plaintiff developed a pulmonary embolism as a result of using this product. Many experts expect that more of these AndroGel lawsuits will be filed across the United States in the coming weeks, months and years.
A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that occurs in the lungs, and it is extremely dangerous if it is not discovered quickly and treated aggressively. If someone has no reason to think that he is at risk for a pulmonary embolism, it could take quite some time before that person realizes that there is a problem and sees a doctor. To date, very little has been said about the potential connection between AndroGel and a risk of developing pulmonary embolisms in the public sphere.
Instead, much of the research that has been released with regards to testosterone replacement therapy medications involves studies that have linked these drugs to other side effects. Specifically, several studies have been released that assert that using testosterone replacement therapy medications increases a person’s risk of suffering strokes, heart attacks and early death. These new AndroGel blood clot lawsuits are expanding the potential side effects associated with these medications.
While they have not received much media coverage at this point, there have been other studies regarding testosterone therapy medications that indicate that blood clots could be a risk. These studies have concluded that there could be a connection between the use of these medications and developing what is known as DVT, or deep vein thrombosis. DVT involves the development of blood clots in veins deep inside the body, most commonly in the legs. After these blood clots form, they can break off from their original site and travel through the body. This process can lead to life-threatening complications quickly.
One of the many potential problems associated with this entire testosterone replacement therapy issue is that the manufacturers of these drugs are marketing them relentlessly. As such, millions of men across the United States have used them, even though the FDA has only approved their use for men who are diagnosed with low testosterone. It’s believed that too many men are using these medications without really needing them, thus exposing them to harm that could easily be avoided.
There is no telling where these latest AndroGel lawsuits will lead or how many more will be filed. What is known is that this troubling issue seems to be expanding in scope every day. If you have undergone this type of therapy and suffered as a result, contact the testosterone replacement therapy lawyers at Parilman & Associates today to schedule a free initial consultation. You can do so either by emailing the firm or by calling 800-800-DRUG.
