“Low T” Drugs: Heart Attacks or Strokes
We are not accepting new cases at this time.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), also called androgen replacement therapy (ART), is medically recommended for men whose body makes too little of this male hormone. For those men who have been tested and diagnosed with this condition, which is called hypogonadism, testosterone drugs like Axiron, AndroGel, and Testim can serve to boost strength and sexual functioning.
But it is estimated the number of middle-aged men in the U.S. getting testosterone treatments has more than tripled over the last decade, with many of them never being tested nor diagnosed.
Moreover, according to medical researchers and the FDA these testosterone replacement therapy drugs have been associated with the following side effects, all of which have the potential to cause death:
- Heart attacks / myocardial infarctions (MI)
- Ischemic strokes (CVA)
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Pulmonary embolism (PE)
Some of the prescription testosterone drug products approved by the FDA and available for use to treat low testosterone, or “Low T” syndrome, include:
• AndroGel
• Androderm
• Aveed
• Axiron
• Bio-T-Gel
• Delatestryl
• Depo-Testosterone
• Fortesta
• Striant
• Testim
• Testopel
FDA Investigation
March 2015 Update: “FDA has concluded that there is a possible increased cardiovascular risk associated with testosterone use”
On March 3, 2015 an FDA Drug Safety Communication about testosterone products was issued requiring drug companies to make a “labeling change to inform of possible increased risk of heart attack and stroke with use”.
From the Safety Announcement part of this March 2015 FDA warning:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cautions that prescription testosterone products are approved only for men who have low testosterone levels caused by certain medical conditions….
In addition, based on the available evidence from published studies and expert input from an Advisory Committee meeting, FDA has concluded that there is a possible increased cardiovascular risk associated with testosterone use. These studies included aging men treated with testosterone. Some studies reported an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or death associated with testosterone treatment, while others did not.
Based on our findings, we are requiring labeling changes for all prescription testosterone products to reflect the possible increased risk of heart attacks and strokes associated with testosterone use.
In addition, the FDA is finally requiring the pharmaceutical companies that are responsible for AndroGel, Axiron, Testim, and other testosterone replacement products to conduct a clinical trial to address the drug safety issue of whether their “Low T” drugs can cause an increased risk of heart attack or stroke in some men using these products.
Most Recent Article About These Drugs
New Medical Research Suggests The Safety Of A Testosterone Drug Might Depend On Its Form: Injections / Shots; Creams / Gels; Skin Patches
SUMMARY: According to a large retrospective cohort medical study published online by the JAMA Internal Medicine journal in May 2015, we learn that short-acting testosterone injections or shots — such as the Depo-Testosterone (testosterone cypionate) injection from Pharmacia and Upjohn Company (a division of Pfizer) — are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events, hospitalizations, and deaths when compared with gels or patches.
To read more of this article, click below:
“Different dosage forms lead to different serum testosterone levels over time — injections result in spikes and super-normal levels — possibly accounting for the observed risk of cardiovascular disease,” [J. Bradley Layton, PhD, an epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill] and colleagues wrote….
The study is well-designed and done by a reputable group, said Bradley Anawalt, MD, an endocrinologist and professor of medicine at the University of Washington Medical Center, in an email to MedPage Today. But it only included short-acting forms of injectable testosterone (testosterone cypionate, enanthate, and propionate) and not the longer-acting testosterone undecanoate which is the most common form used in Europe and which was recently approved in the U.S.
The short-acting forms of injectable testosterone are associated with higher spikes in testosterone levels, said Anawalt, who was not involved with the study.
We will continue to watch for new medical research about testosterone drugs safety especially as regards heart attacks or myocardial infarction (MI), strokes, and cardiovascular deaths which might be caused by so-called “Low-T” testosterone therapy products such as Depo-Testosterone injections or shots.
[Read this article in full at original source]Earlier articles by attorney Tom Lamb on the Side Effects Blog:
- Testosterone Drugs FDA Meeting In September 2014 Reveals That The Safety Of Products Like Axiron, AndroGel, And Testim Is Uncertain Or Unknown At Present Time
- AndroGel / Axiron / Testim: Heart Attacks, Strokes, And Other Cardiovascular Problems Will Be Subject Of FDA Advisory Panel Meeting In September 2014
- Summer 2014 Update: Testosterone “Low-T” Drugs: New FDA Safety Warnings; Recent Medical Journal Article About Heart Risks Of Injectable TRT Products
- The Benefits And Risks Of Popular Testosterone Replacement Therapy For Older Men Are Not Fully Known
- Testosterone Drugs Litigation April 2014 Update: Legal & Medical Developments: AndroGel Federal Court MDL Motion Is Filed, And A “Low-T” Medical Study Is Criticized
- For Testosterone Therapy Drugs Like AndroGel / Axiron / Testim: Add “Black-Box” Warning To Label: Public Citizen’s Petition To FDA
- More Evidence Supporting A Link Between Testosterone Therapy And Higher Risk Of Cardiovascular-Related Events Such As Myocardial Infarctions Or Heart Attacks
- The Growing Use Of Testosterone Creams, Gels, Injections, And Patches Raises Increased Concerns About Risks Of Cardiac Side Effects
- Increasingly Popular Testosterone Replacement Therapy Drugs Are Linked To Myocardial Infarctions Or Heart Attacks, Strokes, And Deaths
Related resources:
“Possible cardiovascular problems associated with testosterone products”
Health Canada Information Update issued on July 15, 2014
“FDA adding general warning to testosterone products about potential for venous blood clots”
FDA Drug Information Update issued on June 19, 2014
All content by attorney Tom Lamb