The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lipitor in 1996 to help patients struggling with high cholesterol levels. It is typically prescribed in 10 mg to 80 mg doses and works to prevent an enzyme in the liver from producing low density lipids, or “bad cholesterol.” These lipids can lead to blocked arteries and blood clots that may cause patients to suffer from heart attacks, strokes, and death.
According to Lipitor’s manufacturer, Pfizer, the medication is intended to reduce the patient’s level of bad cholesterol and thereby lower his or her risk of developing cardiovascular disease. However, several studies have found that Lipitor may increase a patient’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
If you or a loved one took Lipitor and you were later diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or suffered from other side effect or complications, contact Attorney Group for Kansas today to learn more about your legal options. We want to help those who may be suffering, and we can help to answer your questions and address your concerns. Should you decide that you want to pursue a claim, we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can help you to file a Kansas Lipitor lawsuit.
Is Lipitor Safe?
The FDA required Pfizer to update Lipitor’s warning label in February 2012 to inform consumers of a potential link between the drug and type 2 diabetes. The FDA also requested that other drug manufacturers who had developed and marketed similar medications update the warning labels on their products as well. Patients may consider filing a Kansas Lipitor lawsuit if they suffered from severe side effects such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Jaundice
- Dark urine
- Kidney failure
- Anemia
- Liver complications
- Muscle problems
- Increased risk of cancer
- Neurological disorders
- Pancreatic dysfunction
- Cognitive loss
Additionally, patients may experience mild side effects such as fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, headaches, gas, stomach pains, throat irritation, joint pain, and infrequent or incomplete bowel movements. According to several studies, patients who fall into one or more of the following categories may be more likely to suffer from side effects while taking Lipitor:
- Women, particularly those who are postmenopausal
- Those who regularly drink alcohol
- Those over the age of 65
- Those who take more than one medication for cholesterol
- Those with a smaller body frame
- Those with diabetes, liver disease or kidney disease
Plaintiffs File Lipitor Lawsuits in the U.S.
Those who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes may consider filing a Kansas Lipitor lawsuit to seek compensation for their injuries. Although many physicians have acknowledged that Lipitor may cause other adverse side effects such as heart attacks, rhabdomyolisis, liver dysfunction, and cognitive damage, it is only recently that studies have found a potential link between type 2 diabetes and Lipitor.
Patients filing lawsuits against the manufacturer claim that Pfizer should have known or already knew of the relationship between diabetes and Lipitor and yet still made the decision to make the medication available to consumers. Although Pfizer marketed Lipitor as safe and effective, plaintiffs allege that the manufacturer should have provided a warning to patients to inform them of the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Do You Have a Kansas Lipitor Lawsuit?
If you or someone you love is taking Lipitor and you were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you may be eligible to file a Kansas Lipitor lawsuit and seek compensation for your condition. Contact Attorney Group for Kansas today to learn more about your options and to receive a free, no-obligation consultation. We can answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding pursuing a Kansas Lipitor lawsuit, and we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process. Call today.
