Blockbuster Drug Lipitor May Increase Type-2 Diabetes Risk

Lipitor, manufactured by Pfizer Inc., is a drug originally designed to lower the risk of developing high levels of bad cholesterol. Unfortunately, some evidence has surfaced that the drug may promote the development of diabetes.

High levels of cholesterol can cause serious problems for a person. The human body needs a certain level of cholesterol to function. However, it needs different levels of different types of cholesterol, and excessive levels can lead to problems. For example, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol can promote arthrosclerosis or hardened arteries when it reaches excessive levels. Poor diet can increase the levels of LDL in the blood, but a person’s own physiology also contributes to the problem.

When the arteries harden, the heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. This leads to high blood pressure and strain on the heart muscle, which can contribute to a number of serious health problems including heart attack and stroke. Diet and exercise can improve this aspect of blood chemistry, but many people struggle to keep LDL levels in the safe range.

Lipitor helps decrease the level of LDL in the blood by interfering with the body’s ability to produce this type of cholesterol. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins, which work by interfering with a liver enzyme that produces LDL.

Since many struggle with high cholesterol, Lipitor has become one of the best-selling drugs in history. When the drug hit the market in 1996, its sales exceeded $125 billion. However, drugs of this class have been linked to an increased risk of developing type-2 diabetes by several research studies, particularly in postmenopausal women.

Type-2 diabetes is a disorder wherein the body looses the ability to adequately control its blood sugar. Type-2 diabetes is also known as “adult-onset” diabetes and “insulin-resistant diabetes,” two names that explain the key features of the disorder. In type-2 diabetes, a person’s body stops responding to insulin and other chemicals which regulate blood sugar levels.

Lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of Lipitor. These Lipitor diabetes lawsuits allege that the manufacturers were aware of these risks—or reasonably should have been aware, based on peer-reviewed research and postmarket surveillance reports. The Lipitor lawsuits further allege that not only were manufacturers aware of these risks, but actively concealed them to make a profit, endangering the health of millions.

Help for Victims of Lipitor Diabetes

If you or a loved one were prescribed Lipitor before February 1, 2012 and were later diagnosed with type-2 diabetes, you may be able to take legal action against the drug’s manufacturer. Filing a Lipitor lawsuit may help you obtain compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering and other damages. Learn more and obtain a free case evaluation at the Lipitor Diabetes Class Action Lawsuit Investigation.