Studies Show Lipitor Increases Risk of Diabetes in Women

By Robert J. Boumis

Lipitor belongs to a class of drugs called statins. These drugs help lower patients’ levels of bad cholesterol. However, studies have begun to demonstrate that these drugs may increase the risk of type-2 diabetes, a life-threatening, chronic disease.

Statins work by interfering with an enzyme the body uses to produce “bad” cholesterol. Statin molecules actively compete with the substrates the body uses to create bad cholesterol, making the enzymes that create it function at reduced capacity. Since this cholesterol tends to contribute to the hardening of the arteries and heart disease, these drugs are intended to improve a patient’s cardiovascular health.

But a study published in May of this year in British Medical Journal, a prestigious, peer-reviewed medical publication indicates that some patients on statins have an increased risk of developing type-2 diabetes. Type-2, or insulin-resistant, diabetes is a disease where the mechanisms in the body that regular blood sugar fail, resulting in issues related to metabolizing sugars.

The study did not recommend that patients stop taking statins like Lipitor, but instead urged them to speak to their physicians to weigh the benefits and risks of these drugs. Suddenly discontinuing medication may carry risks of its own.

Another study found that the risk was more specific. Dr. Yusheng Ma, PhD, MD, MPH published a study in the June 2013 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. His study found that post-menopausal women had an even greater risk of developing Lipitor diabetes compared to other patients on statins. The paper was based on an observational study. However, other studies have found that all patients on statins have an elevated risk of developing diabetes.

Lawsuits have been filed against the manufactures of drugs like Lipitor and other statins. These Lipitor diabetes lawsuits allege that the manufactures knew – or reasonably should have known from clinical testing, published studies, or postmarket surveillance – that these drugs are linked to an increased risk of complications like type-2 diabetes.

These Lipitor lawsuits further allege that manufacturers have failed to act on this information, or may have even actively downplayed the risks, preventing patients and their prescribing physicians from having all of the information they needed to make an informed medical decision. Such drug injury lawsuits seek damages related to medical expenses, lost wages, and punitive damages.

Get Free Legal Help for Your Lipitor Diabetes

If you’re a woman who took Lipitor and went on to develop type-2 diabetes, you may be overwhelmed. Coping with chronic illness like diabetes that requires daily management and lifestyle changes has a way of taking over you life. But amidst all of the changes you’re dealing with, you need to remember that you have rights, and there are step that you can take to regain control over your situation.

You can start by visiting the Lipitor Diabetes Class Action Lawsuit . Learn more about your legal rights and receive a free legal review of your case to see if you qualify to take action against the drug maker. A compassionate, skilled drug injury attorney will review your case for free and contact you if you have case.

Updated July 25th, 2013

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