AndroGel testosterone supplement lawsuits continue to progress in an Illinois U.S. District Court overseen by Judge Matthew Kennelly. The coordination of more than 1,500 lawsuits is involved in this MDL. The MDL was established a little more than a year ago with an eye toward streamlining early trial proceedings. Judge Kennelly denied bifurcation requests to separate the liability question from the damages for injuries into two separate trials on May 29th, 2015.
AndroGel manufactured by AbbVie is currently the largest-selling testosterone replacement product on the market. Judge Kennelly also lengthened the bellwether selection process, and divided the cases into two groups: those which allege blood clot injuries, thromboembolism and deep vein thrombosis and those which allege heart attacks caused by testosterone supplements. A final order will be issued regarding bellwether case selection on August 31st.
Following this order, plaintiffs and defendants will each submit a list of eight potential bellwether cases, and the court will choose three from each group for early trial. Trial dates for Androgel lawsuits involving thromboembolism are set for October 2016, December 2016 and January 2017. Trial dates for heart attack lawsuits regarding AndroGel are set for February 2017, March 2017 and April 2017.
What is “Low-T” and How Does AndroGel Help?
AndroGel is a daily testosterone replacement drug which, according to the manufacturer, will help bring testosterone levels back to normal with daily use. Since 2001, the number of prescriptions for testosterone supplements has more than quadrupled, with 5 million prescriptions in 2013 alone. AndroGel has more than half of the entire testosterone market, generating more than $1 billion in sales in 2013. Abbot Laboratories and AbbVie spent more than $80 million in advertising costs for Androgel in 2013. AndroGel gained FDA approval in 2000 for men with a medical diagnosis of hypogonadism, yet less than half of the men currently taking AndroGel—or any other testosterone supplement—actually have such a diagnosis.
Testosterone manufacturers have aggressively marketed their supplements for off-label use, claiming that men of all ages who are tired, have less muscle and more belly fat, have a low sex drive or less bone density can benefit from taking a testosterone supplement. In fact, all of these issues are the natural effects of aging, as testosterone levels drop from the time a man reaches the age of thirty. Due to such advertising tactics, many men see testosterone supplements as a veritable fountain of youth, unaware of the potential dangers associated with the supplements.
Potential Risks of AndroGel
A study published in November 2013 in the Journal of American Medical Association linked testosterone supplements to a 29% greater risk of heart attack, stroke and even death. Another study published in August 2013, concluded there was an increase in blood clots for those men taking testosterone supplements like AndroGel. Adding a testosterone supplement can increase the thickness of the blood, leading to excess blood clotting, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism.
AndroGel Lawsuits
The first six lawsuits filed against AbbVie and Abbot alleged three heart attacks, one stroke, one mini-stroke and blood clots. Less serious—but still troubling—side effects of AndroGel include acne, reduced sperm count, loss of hair, vertigo, enlargement of the breasts, weight gain, agitation, hostility, chronic headaches, worsening of sleep apnea symptoms and stomach and abdominal pain.
National Dangerous Drug Lawyers
If you have suffered a heart attack or cardiac complication from AndroGel or other testosterone supplement, it can be very beneficial to speak to an experienced Philadelphia class action lawyer to determine what options are available to you. Drug companies who routinely put profits before people should pay for their negligence—and their unscrupulous behavior. To learn more about your legal options or to schedule a free consultation call the Philadelphia product liability lawyers at Golomb Legal today at 1-800-355-3300 or 1-215-985-9177 or fill out our confidential Contact Form.
The national dangerous drug lawyers at Golomb Legal have successfully represented individuals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and throughout the United States.