A West Virginia man has joined the growing testosterone product multidistrict litigation, claiming he suffered from pulmonary embolism after using the testosterone replacement therapies AndroGel and Axiron. The plaintiff alleges that the low-t drug manufacturers failed to warn that testosterone replacement therapy could cause the life-threatening health condition, in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood clot.

The testosterone product lawsuit states that the plaintiff used the low-t therapy medications from 2011 to 2013 prior to developing the blood clots that traveled to his lungs. He claims to have stopped taking both of the low testosterone treatments for a month prior to his pulmonary embolism diagnosis. According to the plaintiff, Axiron and AndroGel were the direct cause of his serious condition.

The West Virginia plaintiff is suing the testosterone product manufacturers for negligent misrepresentation, fraud and design defect. In addition, his wife is suing for loss of consortium (meaning loss of intimacy).

Testosterone Product Warnings

In June 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration required all FDA approved low-t medications to include a revised warning label cautioning consumers about the potential risk of developing blood clots in the veins. This includes medical conditions known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), venous thromboembolism (VTE), and pulmonary embolism (PE).

Pulmonary embolism is considered a life-threatening condition, as 30 percent of patients diagnosed with the condition will not survive. The condition occurs when blood clots travel to the lungs via the bloodstream. Blood flow is then restricted in the lungs and causes a multitude of complications including chest pain, coughing up blood, rapid heartbeat and dizziness.

Some patients who are diagnosed with pulmonary embolism eventually develop pulmonary hypertension as a side effect, which could lead to a weakened heart.

In the FDA’s 2014 announcement regarding the inclusion of blood clot risks to testosterone products, the agency noted they are still investigating the possible link of testosterone therapy to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke or even death.

Low Testosterone Product Industry

More than 5 million men in the United States are prescribed a testosterone product as a way to increase sex drive and build muscle mass. Testosterone replacement therapy is available in the following forms: testosterone injections, testosterone creams, testosterone gels and a testosterone patch.

Over the last 10 years, the amount of U.S. men who use a form of testosterone therapy has tripled. The testosterone products are marketed to men who experience symptoms of low-t, which include:

• Body fat increase
• Difficulty achieving erections
• Hair loss
• Mood Changes
• Fatigue
• Loss of sex drive
• Loss of muscle mass

However, recent testosterone product studies have found a link between the medications and an increased risk of developing a serious medical condition. This has prompted thousands of men to file low-t drug lawsuits claiming they were unaware of the health risks involved with using testosterone therapy.

Low-T Drug Lawsuits

A growing number of men continue to file testosterone product lawsuits throughout the country. In general, plaintiffs allege manufacturers failed to warn of the life-threatening conditions linked to the medication. In addition, some plaintiffs claim manufacturers intentionally tried to convince men that low testosterone is a medical condition that requires treatment, when it’s simply a part of the natural aging process.

The Testosterone Product MDL is In re: Testosterone Replacement Therapy Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2545, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.