The Lipitor MDL, where close to 2,000 lawsuits are pending over claims the statin drug caused plaintiffs to develop type-2 diabetes, has expanded to include another individual.

Plaintiff Edna D. alleges in the latest Lipitor lawsuit that she used the cholesterol-lowering drug from December 2008 until September 2013. On Feb. 12, 2010, she was diagnosed with type-2 diabetes. She, like many individuals, claims she was unaware that her diabetes diagnosis was a potential side effect of taking Lipitor (atorvastatin) until recently, and continued taking the drug after she was diagnosed.

In February 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration made Pfizer, the manufacturer, update the warning label for Lipitor side effects to include the risk of diabetes. The update followed a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine that found women between the ages of 50 and 79 who took statin drugs like Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor were 48 percent more likely to develop type-2 diabetes than women who did not take these drugs.

Lawsuits in the Lipitor MDL accuse Pfizer of promoting Lipitor’s benefits while minimizing or failing to disclose the risk of type-2 diabetes from atorvastatin.

According to the latest Lipitor lawsuit, Edna, “suffered grievous bodily injury and consequently economic [losses]…pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life,” because of Lipitor complications.

The plaintiff is filing counts of negligence, negligent misrepresentation, negligent design, product liability, failure to warn, breach of express and implied warranty, fraud, and unjust enrichment against Pfizer. She also included violations of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act in her list of complaints.

Lipitor Type-2 Diabetes Side Effects

Edna is one of countless individuals who may have developed type-2 diabetes after taking Lipitor. Type-2 diabetes is a condition that can never fully be cured. Though this Lipitor complication can be managed through lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise as well as medication, a person will never be able to stop diabetes treatment all together.

Pfizer may claim in its defense against Lipitor lawsuits that alleged victims were pre-disposed to develop type-2 diabetes since they were using Lipitor to treat high cholesterol, and that these diabetes cases were not caused by Lipitor. Pfizer was, however, required by the FDA to change the warning label to include Lipitor type-2 diabetes complications. This happened after a study was published in 2012 that supported the allegations raised in Lipitor lawsuits.

Symptoms of Lipitor type-2 diabetes include:

• Increased thirst
• Dry mouth
• Increased hunger (especially after eating)
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing sores or frequent infections
• Areas of darkened skin
• Headaches

A Lipitor class action lawsuit investigation has also been launched in addition the the Lipitor MDL that is on going. Plaintiffs may win compensation for the pain and suffering caused by alleged Lipitor complications in addition to medical costs, loss of consortium if applicable, and for other damages.

This Lipitor MDL is In Re: Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation MDL No. 2:14-mn-02502 filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, in the Charleston Division.

Edna’s individual Lipitor lawsuit is Case No. 2:14-cv-4783-RMG.