Androgel Testosterone Replacement Blood Clot Lawsuits

Earlier in February, a North Carolina man and his wife filed a product liability lawsuit against the makers of AndroGel. Roger Gibby, a retired highway patrol officer, alleges that side effects of the testosterone gel caused him to suffer a pulmonary embolism and a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) blood clots in his lungs and legs.

The complaint was filed against AbbVie in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on February 10.

Gibby claims that he suffered blood  in September, after receiving a prescription for the testosterone gel. Gibby stated that he began using AndroGel after viewing AbbVie advertisements that encourage older men to use the testosterone replacement therapy The advertisements asks if they are experiencing decreased sex drive, weight gain, depression or lack of energy.

Several testosterone treatment lawsuits have been filed recently by men who claim that AndroGel, Axiron, Testim and other testosterone products caused them to suffer a heart attack, stroke, blood clots or sudden death.

FDA Launches Testosterone Investigation

In January, the FDA launched an investigation into the potential testosterone therapy heart risks after two studies indicated that users may face an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Testosterone Therapy Heart Problems

AndroGel is a prescription topical gel applied to the upper arms as a testosterone replacement therapy, for men suffering from testosterone deficiency. The testosterone treatment is sold as gels, patches, injections, implants and pills.

With aggressive direct-to-consumers advertisements, AndroGel and other testosterone drugs have seen explosive sales in recent years. Experts suggest that the demand for these drugs was created by television advertisements that encourage men to seek prescription treatments for “low T” if they are suffering any number of common non-specific symptoms. Several medical studies have demonstrated that many men receiving AndroGel and other testosterone treatments have no real medical need for the drugs.

Troubling Testosterone Medical Studies

In November 2013, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that side effects of testosterone treatments were linked to increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, and death among older men with certain pre-existing heart problems.

In January 2014, another study published by the medical journal PLOSOne  found that low testosterone treatments may double the risk of heart attack for younger men with heart disease and men over the age of 65, regardless of their prior heart conditions.