A testosterone product lawsuit was recently filed against Pfizer Inc., Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, and Actavis Inc.by Louisiana resident Beverly D., and her two children Diane and Denise. The plaintiffs are bringing the testosterone lawsuit on behalf of Beverly’s husband Mark D. who allegedly died from his use of the several testosterone products. Beverly and her children filed the testosterone lawsuit seeking reparations for wrongful death and survival damages.

According to the plaintiffs, Mark died on Jan. 14, 2014, at the age of 56 due to his use of the testosterone products known as Depo-Testosterone and Testosterone Cypionate. Prior to his death, Mark had a history of obesity and cardiovascular issues dating back to 2006. The testosterone product lawsuit claims that after encountering “Low T” awareness campaigns promoted by the defendants, Mark began using Depo-Testosterone and Testosterone Cypionate as testosterone replacement therapy.

Mark was unaware of the serious cardiovascular side effects associated with using testosterone replacement therapies and his death was deemed a result of his obesity and cardiovascular disease, although the testosterone product lawsuit goes on to say that these injuries and his death were aggravated and worsened by testosterone use. According to the low T lawsuit, Mark would never have used the Depo-Testosterone and Testosterone Cypionate had he been aware of the increased cardiac risks associated with their use.

The plaintiffs allege that Pfizer and the other defendants named in the testosterone product lawsuit misrepresented Depo-Testosterone and its generic form Testosterone Cypionate as a safe and effective treatment for hypgonadism and a condition referred to as low testosterone or “Low-T.” While hypogonadism is a medically recognized condition, the plaintiffs claim that “Low T” is not.

In 2000, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had to remind the defendants that testosterone replacement therapy is only approved to treat hypogonadism, and any other marketing strategies were misleading. The plaintiffs allege that despite this FDA admonition, the defendants continued to promote Depo-Testosterone and Testosterone Cypionate as a solution to “Low T.”

The plaintiffs allege that the defendants and their competitors created the disease known as “Low T” through marketing and advertising campaigns specifically aimed at middle-aged men experiencing the natural results of aging, including lower levels of testosterone. The testosterone product lawsuit alleges that the defendants intentionally boost testosterone sales through “Low T” awareness campaigns and by asking doctors to prescribe Depo-Testosterone and Testosterone Cypionate when patients came in convinced they had low testosterone and were in need of testosterone replacement therapy.

Awareness campaigns claim symptoms of “Low T” included being sad or grumpy, experiencing deterioration in the ability to play sports, and falling asleep after dinner. The plaintiff argues that many doctors would agree these symptoms are caused by an abundance of factors, most notably natural aging. Sales of testosterone have more than doubled since 2006 and are expected to triple to $5 billion by 2017.

Overview of Testosterone Replacement Lawsuits

For some men, taking Depo-Testosterone and Testosterone Cypionate may result in various serious cardiac side effects. Many testosterone products are known to cause thickened blood in some adult males as well as the development of blood clots, and heart damage. When left unmonitored, these conditions can result in various life-threatening cardiac events such as stroke, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis.

A number of testosterone lawsuits have been filed against manufacturers of various testosterone products. These testosterone lawsuits generally claim manufacturers violated consumer protection laws and failed to warn the medical community and general public of the serious risks associated with using testosterone replacement drugs like Depo-Testosterone and Testosterone Cypionate.

The Testosterone Product Lawsuit is Case No. 1:15-cv-00377, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division.