Indianapolis Testosterone Therapy Lawsuit Attorneys

The High Risks of “Low T” – FDA Investigating Heart Attacks & Strokes Caused by Testosterone Therapy

For centuries, the quest for eternal youth has driven the sales of elixirs, tonics, and treatments that have promised to regrow hair, restore youthful vigor and stamina, or reverse the aging process altogether. Many of these promises have been false, and many such treatments have had extremely dangerous side effects.

Today, there are increasing concerns about the harm being done by testosterone replacement therapy. Recent studies showing that treatments for so-called “Low-T” might raise men’s risks for heart attacks, stroke, or death have led the Food and Drug Administration to begin investigating their safety.

Hovde Dassow + Deets has been monitoring and investigating claims relating to the harm caused by “Low-T” treatments.

Our Indianapolis testosterone therapy injury lawyers invite men who are concerned or have suffered negative reactions to testosterone replacement therapy to reach out for a free consultation to discuss their experiences and explore potential claims.

The Sudden Rise of Low-T Treatments

During the past five years, there has been a rapid and dramatic increase in the number of men receiving treatments or prescriptions for “Low-T,” the natural decline in men’s testosterone levels that occurs as they age. During that time, sales have gone up more than 500 percent and in 2013, sales of approved testosterone supplements outpaced the sale of Viagra, following in the little blue pill’s footsteps by flooding the airwaves with advertisements that have no doubt played a large role in the exploding demand for such treatments.

Common Treatments Include One Developed in Indianapolis

Some of the more popular testosterone treatments include Axiron, which was developed and distributed by Eli Lilly & Company, an Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical giant that the Indianapolis lawyers at Hovde Dassow + Deets have deep knowledge of.

Other common Low-T treatments, which typically come in a gel, patch, or injection form, include:

• Androgel – AbbVie Pharmaceuticals
• Androderm – Actavis Inc.
• Bio-T-Gel – BioSante Pharmaceuticals/Teva Pharmaceutical Industries
• Delatestryl – Sandoz Canada Inc.
• Depo-Testosterone – Pfizer Inc.
• Fortesta – Endo Pharmaceuticals
• Striant – Actient Pharmaceuticals
• Testim – Auxilium Pharmaceuticals
• Testopel – Auxilium Pharmaceuticals

Some experts have expressed concern that the never-ending quest for youth combined with the pharmaceutical companies’ aggressive marketing has led doctors to overprescribe testosterone treatments without a full understanding or evaluation of the potential risk of the treatment. CBSnews.com reported recently on a study that suggested 43% of men receiving testosterone already had normal levels of natural testosterone.

Risk of Heart Attack Doubles After Low-T Treatment

The recent study that has spurred the FDA to act contained two important findings:

• For men over 65, the increase in the heart attack rate doubled soon after initiating testosterone therapy, and;
• In men under 65 with a history of heart disease, the risk of heart disease also doubled.

In announcing their investigation, the FDA told doctors that they “should consider whether the benefits of FDA-approved testosterone treatment is likely to exceed the potential risks of treatment.” Cautions about the risk of heart attack or testosterone stroke, however, are nowhere to be found on product labeling, though that may change in the future as a result of FDA action.

Call Hovde Dassow + Deets to Discuss Your Testosterone Therapy Concerns

Hovde Dassow + Deets, the preeminent personal injury and drug liability law firm in Indianapolis, is currently investigating and monitoring developments with regards to complications caused by testosterone therapy and related treatments.

If you or a loved one are concerned about the actual or potential harmful effects of your testosterone therapy and want to discuss potential claims arising out of those effects, contact Hovde Dassow + Deets partner and lead “Low-T” attorney Robert Dassow today. We can be reached at (317) 576-3241 for a free consultation to discuss your case.