Multiple Studies Link Lipitor to Type-2 Diabetes

Lipitor (atorvastatin) is designed to help correct elevated levels of high cholesterol. However, evidence has mounted that the drug may be linked to an increased risk of type-2 diabetes in certain patients. 

The active molecule in Lipitor was first synthesized in 1985 by a company that was later acquired by Pfizer. Lipitor belongs to the statin family, a group of drugs that works by acting on enzymes the body uses to produce its own LDL (“bad”). Lipitor is unusual in the statin family, in that it is completely synthetic, while other statins are derived from naturally-occurring chemicals. 

Low-density lipoprotein or LDL is the “bad” cholesterol. While your body needs a certain amount of this to function, having too much in your system contributes to serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease. LDL can harden the arteries, forcing the heart to work harder and increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues. By making it harder for the body to make its own LDL, Lipitor can help lower the risk of heart disease. This has made Lipitor a best-selling drug, earning billions for its manufacturers. 

Despite its success, some studies have found that statins like Lipitor may increase your risk of developing type-2 diabetes. 

One study, published in the prestigious British Medical Journal, looked at population data on 471,250 patients without diabetes. The BMJ study controlled for other risk factors for diabetes. This means the researchers performed analysis to rule out other factors for diabetes, including lifestyle and diet. Even after controlling for these variables, the study found that Lipitor users had a statistically significant increase in their risk for developing type-2 diabetes over other subjects. The study was published in the May 2013 issue of BMJ. 

Lawsuits have been filed against the manufactures of Lipitor and other statins. These Lipitor lawsuits allege that the manufacturers knew – or reasonably should have known – about the risk of serious health problems associated with their drugs. 

Peer-reviewed studies and postmark surveillance have both indicated this increased risk of Lipitor diabetes, potentially bolstering this assertion. The lawsuits further allege that despite this knowledge, manufactures continued to sell Lipitor without warning of this side effect, and may have actually actively downplayed the risk associated with their drugs. This could potentially prevent patients and their prescribing physicians from having the information they needed to make informed medical decisions.

If you, or someone you care about went on to develop type-2 diabetes after using Lipitor, you almost certainly have a lot to deal with. Coping with type-2 diabetes requires changes in lifestyle, diet, and often regular medication and monitoring. However, you need to remember that you have rights, and there are steps that you can take to regain control over your situation. You can start by visiting the Lipitor Diabetes Class Action Lawsuit Investigation and getting a free legal review of your potential case.