Study follows spate of lawsuits against testosterone manufacturers
A new study carried out by the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth suggests that testosterone replacement therapy may be linked with brain cell damage in some Caucasian men, PR Newswire reports. The findings follow a number of recent product liability lawsuits against drug manufacturers after their testosterone replacement products were linked to a potential increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Side effects differ with race
The UNT study found that there was an increased risk of damage to brain cells in Caucasian men who suffered from high oxidative stress. The study, however, found that Mexican-American men appear to be immune from the health risk.
The study could come as a warning sign for Caucasian men considering testosterone treatment. While testosterone deficiency is a legitimate concern for some people, in recent years testosterone treatment has been marketed to a broad segment of the population as a way to enhance virility and overall health.
The new findings could help doctors determine which patients are suitable candidates for testosterone replacement therapy by first determining whether their oxidative stress levels could have an effect on the treatment’s effectiveness and side effects.
Lawsuits against testosterone manufacturers
This latest study comes on the back of a number of recent news stories highlighting the possible dangers of testosterone replacement drugs. According to Bloomberg News, a number of lawsuits have already been filed against Abbot Laboratories alleging that the drug manufacturer hid dangerous side effects of its testosterone replacement drug AndroGel.
The plaintiffs in that case say that they suffered a number of health problems, including heart attacks and strokes, which they say were linked to the use of AndroGel.
In November of last year, the Veterans Health Administration also released a study saying that testosterone replacement therapy was linked to heart attack, stroke and a 29 percent increased chance of death.
Furthermore, in January the FDA announced that it would reexamine the issue of side effects related to testosterone therapy and cautioned that for the time being testosterone replacement drugs should only be prescribed to patients who have low testosterone levels caused by an associated medical condition.
Product liability issues
The flurry of news reports and press releases raising questions about testosterone therapy’s safety risks shows just how easy it can be for consumers to fall victim to a product that is defective or hazardous in some way. While many of the studies and lawsuits mentioned above are still ongoing, consumers who have been harmed by a product that was defective or improperly marketed may be able to get compensation through legal action. By consulting with a personal injury and product liability lawyer, victims of defective products can find out what legal avenues are available to them and whether financial compensation is possible.
