Contact Attorney Group for Tennessee today if you have questions about the side effects of statins or if you believe that you have a claim for compensation. According to the U.S. Drug Administration, statin medications have been proven to be beneficial under certain circumstances. However, these products can also cause severe and life-threatening complications. Here are some reasons why a patient may opt for an alternative medication:
1. Potential Pregnancy Complications
Women who are breastfeeding, trying to conceive, or those who are currently pregnant are urged to avoid taking statins as the side effects of statins on unborn children is not yet known. However, cholesterol is an important building block for the development of the brain, heart, and lungs, so statins may increase the risk of birth defects.
2. Worsening Asthma
In 2011, researchers found that, after analyzing a group of Lipitor patients with asthma and a group of patients not taking the mediation, those who took the statin were more likely to experience worsening lung function and increased symptoms of asthma. Those who have asthma may take statins, but it may be beneficial to speak with a healthcare provider about adjusting their asthma medications to lower this risk.
3. Muscle Weakness and Pain
These side effects of statins affect 10 percent of all statin patients. Additionally, patients have reported rhabdymyolysis, or the condition in which the muscle cells break down and release a protein called myoglobin that can ultimately cause damage to the kidneys. Commonly affected areas of the body include the shoulders, upper arms, lower back, and thighs.
4. Increased Liver Enzymes
If a patient is taking statins as well as other cholesterol-lowering medications, he or she may be more likely to suffer from increased liver enzymes. In these situations, patients may consider blood testing within the first month or two of starting a statin to determine whether this is the case since there are no symptoms of increased liver enzymes, and there is no way to predict whether a patient will experience the condition.
5. Patients Filing Lawsuits Due to Severe Side Effects of Statins
While there were 959 Lipitor lawsuits filed against Pfizer, Inc. in July 2014, that number has increased to more than 1,152 in August 2014, according to court documents. The claims are currently underway in a multidistrict litigation in federal court in South Carolina and similarly allege that the side effects of statins and Lipitor include type 2 diabetes and other complications. Plaintiffs also accuse Pfizer, Inc. of failing to warn of these potential dangers, thus needlessly placing thousands at risk of serious health conditions.
Do You Have a Lipitor Lawsuit in Tennessee? We Can Help
If you or a loved one are experiencing adverse side effects of statins and you would like more information about filing a Lipitor lawsuit for compensation, contact Attorney Group for Tennessee today. There is no cost to speak with us, and we can help you determine whether you are eligible to file a Lipitor lawsuit in Tennessee and recover damages for your injuries. We can also connect you with one of our affiliated Tennessee attorneys who can assist you throughout the legal process. Call today.
