A class of testosterone treatment products now at issue in several lawsuits in the U.S. has caught the eye of Health Canada, an organization that recently warned of the possible risks of testosterone therapy, including the potential for patients to sustain blood vessel and cardiac complications.
Health Canada included Testim, Axiron, Delatestryl, Andriol, Androderm and AndroGel in its most recent alert that followed a countrywide investigation of the testosterone treatment products, according to a July 15 CBC News report. The day that the agency released the warning, it issued a statement in which it acknowledged that it has recently completed a safety review to determine the risks of testosterone therapy.
Health Canada Warns of Risks of Testosterone Therapy
Among other things, the study found an increased risk of blood clots in the legs or lungs, stroke, heart attack and a potentially irregular heart rate in men using testosterone treatment products. Health Canada said that the warning labels on the products would be altered to reflect the risks of testosterone therapy as the agency reminded the public of certain safety information pertaining to the products.
Medical experts advise that men should avoid using testosterone treatment therapies if they have not yet undergone laboratory testing to prove that they are, in fact, suffering from low testosterone levels. Additionally, testosterone products should not be prescribed to men for non-specific symptoms, such as low libido, fatigue and other normal signs of aging.
Children under 18 years of age should avoid taking Axiron, AndroGel and other similar products, as the effectiveness and safety of these treatments has not yet been established in this demographic. Similarly, women should avoid testosterone products, as they may be more likely to suffer from complications or side effects.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a similar warning in January 2014 in which the agency alerted the public of the potential risks of testosterone therapy, including cardiovascular side effects. The FDA alert warned that two separate studies suggested a link between the use of AndroGel and other similar products and an increased risk of strokes, heart attacks and sudden cardiac death. The FDA stated that while no link had been confirmed, the agency is conducting an ongoing review.
Since the FDA warning, men throughout the country have filed lawsuits alleging that they suffering from complications due to testosterone treatment products. At least 156 lawsuits have been consolidated into a federal multidistrict litigation in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois as of July 2014. Plaintiffs allege that several testosterone treatment products caused them to suffer from adverse and life-threatening complications and that they were inadequately warned of the risks of testosterone therapy.
Attorney Group Can Help
For more information about the risks of testosterone therapy, or if you or someone you love used one of these treatments and suffered from adverse side effects, please contact Attorney Group today for a free case evaluation. We can help answer your questions and connect you with a local affiliated attorney who can assist you in pursuing your claim for compensation.
