Should You File an Alabama Lipitor Lawsuit?
Lipitor, or atorvastatin, is a medication prescribed to those with elevated cholesterol levels and is manufactured and marketed by Pfizer. The drug is intended to prevent cardiovascular disease as it prevents the creation of an enzyme responsible for producing low density lipids (LDLs). These LDLs are responsible for the blockage of arteries that can lead to blood clots and, ultimately, heart attacks. While the medication was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996 and has helped thousands of patients to lower their bad cholesterol levels, plaintiffs throughout the country are filing lawsuits against the manufacturer, claiming that the drug caused diabetes and other serious health complications.
Lipitor Overview
Statin medications including Lipitor have been proven to successfully reduce bad cholesterol levels in patients. Daily doses of Lipitor can range from 10 mg to 80 mg tablets depending on the patient’s age, weight, medical history and cholesterol levels. Like many medications, Lipitor may cause mild or common side effects, including:
- Throat irritation
- Nausea, diarrhea
- Stomach cramps, indigestion, gas
- Incomplete or infrequent bowel movements
- Joint pain
- Dizziness, headaches, tiredness
However, the medication has also been linked to serious and potentially life-threatening complications including type 2 diabetes, kidney failure, pancreatic dysfunction, an increased risk of cancer and neurological disorders. Additionally, several medical researchers have reported that Lipitor may also result in:
- Anemia
- Cognitive loss
- Jaundice
- Dark urine
- Muscle complications
Due to the number of adverse event reports submitted to the FDA and patients reporting adverse side effects, the FDA ordered Pfizer to include an increased risk of type 2 diabetes on Lipitor’s label in February 2012. Manufacturers of other statin medications were also required to comply with the order and update the labels on their products to reflect the same risk.
Diabetes and Lipitor
Four recent studies have been documented and used as evidence of the link between type 2 diabetes and Lipitor and may be used as evidence by Alabama Lipitor lawsuit lawyers in your case:
- 2012: Researchers concluded that patients were at a 50 percent increased risk for diabetes
- 2011: Researchers concluded that patients were at a nine percent increased risk for diabetes
- 2011: Researchers concluded that patients were at a 37 percent increased risk for diabetes
- 2010: Researchers concluded that patients were more likely to develop diabetes even if they did not have a pre-existing condition suggesting that they were more likely to develop the disease
If you or a loved one suffered from adverse side effects or you received a type 2 diabetes diagnosis from your healthcare provider, seek legal counsel from Alabama Lipitor lawsuit lawyers to learn more about filing a lawsuit.
Lipitor Lawsuits Pending in the U.S.
Pfizer is currently facing lawsuits from plaintiffs across the U.S. as alleged victims come forward in an attempt to seek compensation for their injuries. Common allegations in Lipitor lawsuits include claims that the manufacturer was well aware of the potential dangers and risks of its product yet decided to release the medication anyway, despite the safety concerns. If you would like to file a lawsuit and hold Pfizer accountable for its alleged negligence, Alabama Lipitor lawsuit lawyers can help you to take the first step.
Although many Lipitor lawsuits include claims from patients who allegedly developed type 2 diabetes, other injuries include heart attacks, rhabdomyolisis, cognitive damage and liver dysfunction. If you or someone you love have sustained injuries or developed a life-threatening health condition while taking Lipitor, Alabama Lipitor lawsuit lawyers can help you to determine if you have a valid case and help you to seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.
Who is At Risk?
According to clinical trials, those who are taking several medications for cholesterol, those 65 years of age or older or those with smaller body frames are more likely to suffer from adverse complications as are patients currently diagnosed with kidney or liver disease or type 2 diabetes. Women, especially postmenopausal patients and those who consume alcohol on a regular basis may also be at a higher risk of developing side effects.
Alabama Lipitor Lawsuit Lawyers Can Help You to File for Compensation
Have you or someone you love taken Lipitor and you were subsequently diagnosed with diabetes or other health condition? Are you experiencing other adverse side effects and you would like to learn more about your legal rights and taking action against the manufacturer? Contact the affiliated Alabama Lipitor lawsuit lawyers at Attorney Group for Alabama today for more information and a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We can help answer your questions and our affiliated Alabama Lipitor lawsuit lawyers can assist you in filing your lawsuit in an effort to seek compensation for your injuries. Depending on your case, you may be eligible to file for pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages.
