If someone you love died of a heart attack or stroke while taking AndroGel or undergoing testosterone (“low-T”) therapy, attorney Chris Mellino welcomes you to contact our office for a free consultation. With almost 40 years of experience, our product liability attorneys in Cleveland have the experience, skill, and in-depth knowledge of state and federal law to help you.
Get in touch with our team at (440) 333-3800 or fill out and submit an online contact form to request a free, confidential consultation.
Male Hypogonadism & Androgen Deficiency “Male hypogonadism is a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone,” per the Mayo Clinic. “In adult males, hypogonadism may alter certain masculine physical characteristics and impair normal reproductive function. [It] can also cause mental and emotional changes.”
Likewise, “Androgens are male hormones that affect a host of processes ranging from mental outlook to the growth of structures and organs,” according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Both hypogonadism and androgen deficiency can cause symptoms such as “hot flashes, sweating, insomnia, nervousness, irritability, tiredness, loss of motivation, short-term memory problems, declining self-esteem, depression, decreased energy levels, diminished muscle strength, decline or loss of libido or sexual desire, poor erections, reduced orgasmic quality, reduced volume of semen, diminished muscle mass, hair loss, and abdominal obesity.”
Whereas one male aging study revealed that androgen deficiency only affects between 2.3 and 12.2 percent of men between the ages of 40 and 69, urologyhealth.org has stated that hypogonadism, or andropause, affects about 39 percent of men over age 45. Thus, cleveland.com reporter Angela Townsend wrote on March 12, 2013, many men in their 30s and 40s have resorted to using topical testosterone-replacement therapies, such as AndroGel, and patches, such as Androderm, on a daily basis to treat their lack of libido and lethargy.
In fact, ABC News reported November 5, 2013, the number of men using testosterone supplements quintupled between years 2000 and 2011. Dr. Steven Nissen, chairman of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, blamed direct-to-consumer advertising, such as TV commercials.
AndroGel Risks & Lawsuits A recent study of 8,000 male veterans showed that “men who used testosterone were 29 percent more likely to die, have a heart attack or a stroke after three years of use,” ABC News stated.
“On average, the men who entered the study were about 60 years old, and many had underlying cardiovascular disease,” the FDA reported on January 31, 2014. “A second observational study reported an increased risk of heart attack in older men, as well as in younger men with pre-existing heart disease, who filled a prescription for testosterone therapy. The study reported a two-fold increase in the risk of heart attack among men aged 65 years and older in the first 90 days following the first prescription. Among younger men less than 65 years old with a pre-existing history of heart disease, the study reported a two- to three-fold increased risk of heart attack in the first 90 days following a first prescription.”
Less than a week later, Bloomberg reported that five men between the ages of 50 and 63 had filed lawsuits against AndroGel manufacturers Abbott Laboratories and AbbVie Inc., who “deceived potential AndroGel users by relaying positive information through the press, including testimonials from retired professional athletes… while downplaying known adverse and serious health risks.” Three of the plaintiffs had heart attacks, one suffered a stroke, and another suffered a mini-stroke.
Why Should I Trust Attorney Chris Mellino to Handle My Low-T Lawsuit? First, The Mellino Law Firm does not advertise. Attorneys and satisfied clients send us the majority of our cases. Others find us online.
Second, Christopher Mellino is well respected for his ability to dig below the surface to find out what really happened to his client.
Third, some firms take every case that walks in the door, settle those cases for the first amount the defendant offers in order to fund their next commercial, and leave clients in the hands of “case managers.” Injury lawsuits are labor-intensive, so we’re selective about the cases we accept. By limiting how many clients we take on, we’re able to give each claim the attention it deserves.
If you or a loved one suffered serious adverse side effects while undergoing low-T therapy with AndroGel or another product, attorney Chris Mellino invites you to contact our office with any questions you may have.
Call (440) 333-3800 to speak to an experienced testosterone lawsuit lawyer in Cleveland.
