The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML)
has ordered all product liability lawsuits filed in U.S. District Courts
nationwide involving injuries associated with the use of any testosterone
replacement therapy (TRT) to be centralized before one judge in the Northern
District of Illinois as part of an MDL, or multidistrict litigation.
Following oral arguments late last month in Dallas, Texas,
the JPML issued an order on June 6, which transfers cases involving any “Low T”
drugs to U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly for coordinated handling
during pretrial proceedings.
Testosterone is a hormone that promotes the growth of the
male reproductive system, contributes to proper sexual function, boosts libido,
prevents loss of scalp hair and can reduce the accumulation of abdominal fat.Treatment is
often prescribed to men in order to counteract the age-related decline in the
hormone. It helps improve sex drive, bone density and muscle mass. But the
benefits and risks of the long-term use of testosterone therapy are not well
known. Testosterone therapy is most often administered as a gel, patch or injection.
There are approximately 45 filed Low T lawsuits in Federal
districts throughout the country. Major side effects claimed in these lawsuits
include stroke, heart attack or even
death. Use of the medication has been linked to certain other risks,
including heart problems, sleep apnea, high red blood cell production, skin
reactions, breast enlargement and lower sperm production.
The following products treat low testosterone:
- Androgel
- Androderm
- Axirom
- Bio-T-Gel
- Delatestryl
- Depo-Testosterone
- Fortesta
- Striant
- Testim
- Testopel
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating
the risk of stroke, heart attack, and death in men taking FDA-approved
testosterone products. It has been monitoring this risk and decided to reassess
this safety issue based on the recent publication of two separate studies that
each suggested an increased risk of cardiovascular events among groups of men
prescribed testosterone therapy.
Pittman, Dutton & Hellums, P.C., is currently
investigating Low T Therapy claims. If you or a loved one were prescribed
testosterone therapy and were injured as a result, please contact Booth Samuels
at 1-866-515-8880 or by email at booths@pittmandutton.com.
