Dallas BioTE Testosterone Therapy Lawyer

Has a loved one suffered a heart attack while on testosterone replacement therapy? Call us today at (214) 651-6100.

Our Dallas product liability attorneys are happy to review the facts of your case, and explain your options moving forward for no cost. In fact, we can even handle your claim on a no-win, no-fee basis.
Recent developments in the medical field have provided documentation of serious conditions that are related to testosterone therapy. Even the FDA has issued warnings about the risks involved for those who choose to pursue testosterone therapy in an effort to improve low testosterone levels.

Medical study points to increased risk of serious heart conditions.

In November of 2013 the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published the results of a study that indicated testosterone therapy causes an increase in a person’s risk of heart attack, stroke, and death. There were 9,000 males with a mean age of 60 who participated in the study. All of the men who participated in the study had survived coronary angiography and had been diagnosed with low testosterone levels.
Of the fifteen percent who underwent testosterone therapy, twenty six percent had a heart attack, stroke, or died from another reason within the three year test period. Researchers compared the totals to those in the study who did not take testosterone medications and came to the conclusion that the therapy increased the risk of serious heart conditions by thirty percent.

Recent lawsuits have resulted in large awards to victims.

Recently, two bellwether lawsuits related to AndroGel resulted in significant awards for the victims. In July of 2017, a jury awarded $150 million in punitive damages to an Oregon man after finding AbbVie Inc. liable for fraudulent misrepresentations about the safety of AndroGel. On October 5th, 2017, a federal jury in Chicago awarded a man more than $140 million after he claimed that AbbVie misrepresented the risks of its testosterone replacement drug, resulting in him suffering a heart attack.

FDA’s response to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) risks.

On January 31, 2014, the FDA announced it is conducting research into the risk factors of heart attack, stroke, and death in men using testosterone products. This decision is partly because of the results published in the November JAMA publication. The agency released a safety alert in which it stated its intentions to reevaluate the safety of TRT products. In addition to the JAMA publication, a study published in PLOS ONE stated that men over 65 who already suffer from heart disease double their risks of heart attack and triple the risk of cardio events.
One thing to remember with these testosterone products (whether it’s BioTE, Bio-T, Androgel, etc) is the FDA approval only pertains to situations in which men have low testosterone that is associated with a medical condition. This includes situations in which the testicles fail to produce sufficient testosterone regardless of the reason, poisoning because of chemotherapy, or any other medical condition. There may also be brain structure problems that have an effect on testosterone levels; however, these products are not FDA approved for men whose low testosterone is unrelated to a medical condition.

Side effects and risks.

In addition to risks of heart attack and stroke, there are other side effects associated with testosterone replacement therapy. Some of those additional risks include enlargement of the prostate or breasts, sleep apnea, blood clots, high cholesterol, blocked arteries, and liver disease. These side effects can occur within the first 90 days after a person begins testosterone replacement therapy.
According to a January 2014 study the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism published, many men in the United States receive testosterone treatments even when their levels are normal or only underwent one test. It is important to remember there are a variety of factors that may influence testosterone levels including illness, the time of day, weight gain, quality of sleep, the content of the man’s diet, and many other issues.
If you or a family member has undergone testosterone treatment therapy and have experienced any of the side effects as identified above, our Dallas lawyers may be able to help you and your family receive the compensation you deserve through a product liability lawsuit. To speak with one of our Dallas injury lawyers about a lawsuit related to TRT, email us using the form provided or call our office at 214-651-6100 or (214) 651-6100 (toll-free).