Recent years have seen explosive growth in the ranks of men looking to a group of testosterone therapy drugs to help them combat the natural impact of aging. As evidence mounts regarding the true dangers these medications may pose, many individuals are considering filing a testosterone lawsuit.

Recent research studies have shown that there is a dangerous link between these testosterone therapy drugs and an increased risk of serious heart complications—including heart attack and stroke. As a result, many doctors have started to question whether the purported benefits of such therapies truly outweigh the hazards.

The testosterone lawyers at The Sanders Firm are committed to helping victims of “low t” drugs seek the compensation they deserve, while holding manufacturers accountable for harm caused by their products. We have successfully represented clients in dangerous drug lawsuits nationwide for decades, securing millions of dollars in jury awards and settlements for unwitting victims of drug company negligence and greed.

Testosterone is a naturally occurring hormone that is necessary for the emergence of masculine traits as well as growth patterns. Testosterone replacement therapies are meant to help those with deficiencies in their natural testosterone levels counter the often-undesirable effects of the condition. It is important to note that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval to testosterone replacement drugs only when used by patients previously diagnosed with hypogonadism, as well as simple low testosterone levels.

On the market today are a wide array of testosterone therapy drugs, including injectables, topical medications and transdermal patches, none of which are FDA-approved for individuals not suffering from an underlying hormonal condition.

Notable research and the FDA’s response

While testosterone therapy medications have been demonstrated to be effective in terms of increasing male libido and boosting muscle mass, concern over a wide range of negative side effects has emerged.

Side effects of testosterone include:

• Intensification of sleep apnea
• Prostate cancer
• Hormonal imbalances
• Polycythemia
• Harm to children and women

Though these complications are certainly quite serious, the most dire warnings relating to testosterone therapy drugs have to do with an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. A notable study in the medical journal PLOS ONE revealed that men age 65 and younger who had a previous history of heart trouble experienced twice as much risk of having a heart attack once they began testosterone drug therapy. Men older than 65 who started taking the drugs also had a notable boost in their risk of experiencing a dangerous cardiac episode within 90 days.

A study performed by the Veterans Administration and subsequently presented in the Journal of the American Medical Association found a close link between testosterone use and the risk of stroke.

Because of the growing evidence of risk embodied by these studies, the FDA issued a statement in January of 2014 declaring an intention to begin a comprehensive investigation of stroke, heart attack and death in males taking testosterone therapy supplements & drugs. Though withholding judgment as to whether the drugs do pose undue risk to patients, the agency did emphasize that physicians and patients should engage in individualized discussions about the risks versus the potential benefits of these medications.

Advocacy groups demand strong warnings on testosterone drugs

Noted consumer watchdog organization Public Citizen has long demanded that the FDA add stark, attention-getting warnings on widely used testosterone therapy drugs as a means to underscore the danger of heart attack and stroke they are believed to pose. In addition to these so-called “black box” warnings, the advocacy group has called upon the agency to mandate additional physician education on the connection between these drugs and a heightened risk of cardiac events.

Why file a testosterone lawsuit?

At The Sanders Firm, we understand the serious harm that these popular testosterone therapy drugs can cause. We also know that product liability litigation is always a complex proposition. Fortunately, we enjoy access to an unrivaled network of medical experts, case investigators, researchers and legal support staff and possess the resources necessary to build the most thorough case possible on behalf of each client we serve.

Our pledge is to fight for every dollar of financial compensation to which you are entitled, an amount that may include:

• Past, present and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation or therapy services
• Lost wages
• Decreased earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium
• Funeral expenses