The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation is reviewing a motion for consolidation and centralization of all nationwide Testofen lawsuits filed in federal courts.

Testofen products have been marketed as a way to increase testosterone levels. These low testosterone supplements have been reported to increase muscle mass and libido and treat erectile dysfunction. But reports on its effectiveness have been mixed.

The Testofen multidistrict litigation (MDL) alleges that the nutritional supplement chain GNC, Gencor Nutrients, and other manufacturers and marketers of herbal supplements containing Testofen (an extract of fenugreek) marketed and sold the testosterone supplements claiming that they would boost testosterone when studies show that the herbs have no effect on the male hormone levels.

Many defective drug cases are consolidated into one or several courts during the fact-finding stages but then tried individually because they allege drug-induced injuries that are unique to each plaintiff. But in a class action lawsuit, the plaintiffs must all face a similar injury and the named plaintiffs represent every other member of the Class who is in the same situation.

What is Testofen?

Testofen is the brand name of a product manufactured by Gencor Nutrients. It is a scientifically engineered form of fenugreek that is an ingredient in many dietary supplements. Traditionally, fenugreek was used to boost milk production in breastfeeding women. Manufacturers claim it can also increase testosterone. One of the most popular products, Nugenix, is marketed for bodybuilding, treating low-T, and boosting testosterone levels.

Testofen is essentially a dietary supplement advertised to improve male sexual health, muscle mass, and energy by boosting testosterone levels. Unfortunately, recent studies have linked many popular testosterone replacement therapy drugs to an increased risk of life-threatening side effects including heart attacks, stroke, pulmonary embolism, or blood clots.

The Problem With Low Testosterone Treatment

After age 30, testosterone levels naturally decline in men. This condition can cause symptoms like fatigue, sexual dysfunction, loss of muscle mass, and more.

Unfortunately, recent studies of testosterone products have found that they can double the risk of heart attack for men over 65, or triple the risk for men with heart disease. Another study found a 30 percent increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and death in the first 90 days of testosterone treatment.

The problem is that testosterone supplements can increase the number of red blood cells, which may lead to an increase in blood pressure and a thickening of the blood. It can also cause imbalances in HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels and circulating estrogen.

In January 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a Drug Safety Communication to announce they would investigate the risk of stroke, heart attack, and death in men taking testosterone replacement products.

Testofen Lawsuits

Herbal testosterone supplements are not the first testosterone products under legal attack. Testosterone product lawsuits have been filed across the country against manufacturers of topical testosterone drugs like AndroDerm, Axiron, and AndroGel.

The testosterone drug lawsuits filed against the drug makers of “low-t supplements” have been accused of misleading the public into believing that normal signs of aging are a clinical condition that require treatment. They are also facing scrutiny from the FDA and consumer groups over the link between the hormone supplements and an increased risk of heart attack and strokes.

The common damage alleged by the proposed testosterone drug MDL is harm resulting from intentional and fraudulent marketing, alleging that the testosterone product manufacturers have purposefully misstated studies to make it appear that Testofen and other low-t supplements are more effective than they really are.