Millions of women have received Lipitor prescriptions to lower their cholesterol levels. In 2012, the FDA required Pfizer to update the Lipitor label to warn about an increased risk of diabetes that is associated with the drug. Many women believe that Pfizer knew of the potential for Lipitor diabetes but failed to warn about the risk. They have filed Lipitor lawsuits to seek compensation for their injuries.
Due to the large number of Lipitor lawsuits, the cases have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL). Pfizer has opposed the MDL because the company fears it will encourage people to file Lipitor lawsuits that are without merit. Because the drug has been taken by millions of people, Pfizer fears that the MDL will be filled with questionable claims.
Numerous Studies Link Lipitor to Type 2 Diabetes
Lipitor (atorvastatin), manufactured by Pfizer, is a drug used to lower blood cholesterol. Lipitor was initially approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in 1996. For the last decade, Lipitor has been the top-selling pharmaceutical brand. Before a generic version became available in 2011, Pfizer generated more than $125 billion in Lipitor sales.
Lipitor belongs to a class of drugs known as statins, which reduce the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which contributes to the development of heart disease. While clinical trials have proven that statin therapy is effective at reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke, recent studies have suggested that statins may be linked to type 2 diabetes in post-menopausal women. Lipitor was associated with the highest risk of developing diabetes. In another study, Lipitor users experienced a 22 percent increased risk for diabetes when compared with patients who took a different cholesterol medication.
According to a study from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, women who take Lipitor and other statin drugs were close to 50 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than women who did not take statin cholesterol medication.
Another study that was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine in February found that many doctors prescribed Lipitor to patients who had a relatively low risk of developing heart disease. The researchers fear that misleading direct-to-consumer marketing can have a huge impact on prescription drugs, increasing the likelihood that a physician will prescribe medications to patients who may not need it. Many doctors have reported feeling pressured when patients demand a prescription for a drug they have seen in television advertisements. Because of the Lipitor advertisements, many patients believe they need the drug to maintain their health as they age.
Take Legal Action
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with diabetes after taking Lipitor, visit the Lipitor Diabetes Class Action Lawsuit Investigation to learn more about your legal options. Many people who have been diagnosed with Lipitor diabetes are taking legal action against Pfizer, claiming that the company failed to warn about the potential risk. If your Lipitor lawsuit is successful, you could get compensated for your medical costs, pain and suffering and other losses you experienced.
Updated June 7th, 2013
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One thought on Lipitor Linked to Type 2 Diabetes in Women
I have been on Lipitor for about 20-25 years and never was told it could cause diabetes. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 2-3 years ago. I started with 20 mg and now take 40 mg.