While Lipitor (atorvastatin) has allegedly caused numerous users to develop type-2 diabetes, leading to a mountain of lawsuits, a recent Canadian study suggests that there may be other Lipitor side effects to worry about.

The study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found a high increase of cataracts in Lipitor users.The study covered hundreds of thousands of patients who had cataracts. It was found that patients who used Lipitor or other statin drugs were 27 percent more likely to develop cataracts.

Cataracts can cause serious vision problems. There is often a lack of, or lessened quality of, vision in the location of the cataract.

The researchers determined that the association between Lipitor/statin drugs and cataracts should be further studied. 

Lipitor Side Effects

Over 1,400 Lipitor lawsuits have been filed against Pfizer and consolidated into a Lipitor MDL. The primary allegation in the Lipitor MDL is that Pfizer concealed Lipitor side effects, including type-2 diabetes.

Plaintiffs have claimed that they would not have used Lipitor had they been fully aware of Lipitor diabetes risks or would have, at least, taken more care to monitor potential diabetes development.

While Lipitor diabetes has been most commonly found in women, men have also filed Lipitor lawsuits against Pfizer.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required Pfizer to change the warning labels to include Lipitor diabetes in 2012. Many have suggested that this warning should have come sooner and that Pfizer was, or should have been, aware of Lipitor side effects earlier.

Studies published as early as 2010 have shown increased chances of developing diabetes in Lipitor users.

One Lipitor study published just before the warning label change suggested that middle-aged women who used Lipitor or other statin drugs were nearly 50 percent more likely to develop type-2 diabetes.

Lipitor Diabetes Symptoms

Type-2 diabetes is a permanent condition that has the potential to cause serious health issues if left untreated. Symptoms of Lipitor 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

The Lipitor MDL is In Re: Lipitor (Atorvastatin) Litigation MDL No. 2502, in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.