Testosterone Therapy Gel Manufacturer Faces Lawsuits

 Posted on November 05, 2014 in Defective Drugs & Treatments

In recent years, testosterone therapies to help men with erectile dysfunction or low testosterone levels have become more common than ever. With the advances in such medication, however, come advances in risks that accompany such treatment. According to WebMD.com, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), are not as common as one may think. Part of this could because of the many risks that accompany TRT and the fact that many physicians are not yet familiar with the overall picture of such therapy.

Testosterone gels carry their own set of risks separate from those associated with pill therapy. Pill therapy can have unwanted side effects such as acne, sleep apnea, and breast enlargement, according to WebMD. Yet when a man uses a testosterone cream or gel, it can have unintended side effects for his family. “If a woman or child comes into contact with testosterone gels, it can cause side effects in them, including hair growth and premature puberty,” according to WebMD. Most doctors say that this transference is rare, but men using testosterone gel should take care to wash their hands thoroughly after use to mitigate the possibility of such unwanted side effects.

Yet transference to women and children is not the only highly publicized negative effect of testosterone gels. According to Bloomberg News, earlier this year, Abbott Laboratories (ABT), the manufacturer of AndroGel, a very common brand of TRT gel, was sued by five men claiming that the ABT failed to properly warn patients of severe side effects of the gel on their hearts. One man allegedly had a stroke as a result of AndroGel use.

The lawsuits were filed in a federal court in Chicago, according to Bloomberg News, just days after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration vowed to reconsider safety approvals of TRT, both in pill and gel form. More than five million Americans are currently on TRT, according to Bloomberg News.

If you or someone you know has suffered unwanted side effects as a result of testosterone therapy medication, you may be eligible for compensation. Do not go through it alone. Contact an experienced Arlington Heights defective medical product attorney today.