We’ve all seen the commercials on TV about low testosterone and the low testosterone drugs that can turn back time. While these drugs have some benefits in specific cases, there are dangers associated with testosterone therapy (TRT). If patients aren’t aware of these risks and suffer injuries as a result of TRT, they can file medical malpractice claims against their treating doctors.
Dangerous Testosterone Drugs
In certain cases, TRT can help with sexual performance, energy level, motivation and emotional well-being. Low testosterone drugs add to free testosterone, a hormone important in many chemical reactions in the body. Most low testosterone drugs are a type of steroid that increases free testosterone levels in men.
While use of these low testosterone drugs has increased substantially since 2006, there’s more and more evidence to suggest they’re dangerous for men with heart conditions. The Journal of the American Medical Association reported, “A recent trial, the Testosterone in Older Men with Mobility Limitations (TOM) trial, conducted in older frail men with a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases was stopped prematurely due to increased cardiovascular events in the treatment group.”
A January 2014 study published in the journal PLoS One, found that TRT doubled the risk for a heart attack for men younger than 65 with heart problems and for all men older than 65. In February 2014, the Men’s Health Watch, an arm of Harvard Medical School, issued a warning that TRT may increase growth of prostate cancer cells. The FDA announced in January 2014 that it is reviewing the risks of TRT.
Essentially, the main problem with TRT is that it increases the number of red blood cells. This leads to the blood thickening, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Below are the names of the low testosterone drugs that pose a risk to men:
- Androderm
- Androgel Android (5,10,25)
- Aveed
- Axiron
- Delatestryl
- Depo-Testadiol
- Ditate-DS, Fortesta
- Metandren
- Oreton
- Straint
- Testim
- Testodrem
- Testopel
- Testosterone
- Testred
- Virilon
- Vogelxo
Medical Malpractice Claims Overview
To win a medical malpractice claim, the plaintiff needs to show that the doctor violated the standard of care — the level and type of care that a similarly trained medical professional with similar experience would’ve performed in similar situations. Additionally, the plaintiff needs to prove the violation caused the specific damages claimed in the lawsuit.
There’s a two-year statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims in Indiana. Additionally, total damages in these lawsuits are capped at $1,250,000. When plaintiffs want to file a medical malpractice claim of more than $15,000, they first need to submit the lawsuit to a three-person review panel before they’re able to submit it to the courts.
If You Were Hurt by Testosterone Therapy in Indianapolis, There’s Help
If you experience heart problems after starting TRT and weren’t aware of the risks before beginning treatment, you may have a medical malpractice claim. Contact Hensley Legal Group at (317) 472-3333 for a free consultation and review of your case.