A 74-year-old Florida woman is among the latest to join the ongoing Lipitor multidistrict litigation against Pfizer Inc. alleging its cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor causes diabetes.

Plaintiff Mariana L. began taking Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) in 1997 and discontinued its use in July 2013 when she was diagnosed with type-2 diabetes, according to her Lipitor diabetes lawsuit. 

The lawsuit contains 10 counts against Pfizer: negligence, negligent misrepresentation, negligent design, strict products liability for both design defect and failure to warn, breach of implied and express warranty, fraud and misrepresentation, constructive fraud and unjust enrichment.

Lawsuits against allege Pfizer knew about the serious side effects of Lipitor but failed to warn the public. In 2012, the FDA issued a warning that Lipitor and other statin drugs were linked to memory loss and a slight increased risk for developing diabetes.

Women are more at risk than men of developing diabetes from using Lipitor.

The Lipitor Lawsuit is Case No. 2:15-cv-02946-RMG in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, Charleston Division. It is part of the Lipitor Type-2 Diabetes MDL known as In re: Lipitor (Atorvastin Calcium) Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2:14-mn-02502-RMG in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, Charleston Division.

Lipitor Use and Complications

Lipitor is the best-selling prescription drug of all time. Initially released in 1996, Lipitor seemed to be a miracle drug for those needing to lower their cholesterol.

Lipitor is a drug in a class called statins used to treat high cholesterol and to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack and other cardiac complications.

Many women who were taking Lipitor began to be diagnosed with type-2 diabetes. Men who also had similar diabetes risk factors as the women did not appear to develop diabetes at the same rate. It is assumed that Lipitor exerts some type of hormonal influence where women are more likely to develop the condition.

Quality of life while suffering from diabetes is severely impacted. Patients require consistent monitoring, significant lifestyle modification and often need additional medication.

Diabetes also can lead to other conditions affecting other organs and body systems. Cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, eye and foot damage, hearing complications, skin conditions and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease are all related complications of diabetes.

Lipitor Lawsuit and Lipitor MDL Information

Despite more than 2,000 lawsuits asserting the contrary, Pfizer maintains that Lipitor does not cause diabetes in women. The company asserts that women who develop diabetes while taking Lipitor have other risk factors that make them more susceptible to the disease, including high blood pressure and obesity.

If you or a loved one developed type-2 diabetes as a result of taking Lipitor, you may be entitled to legal compensation. Our experienced attorneys are available to provide free, confidential consultations to educate you about your eligibility for an individual lawsuit or joining an MDL.