Lawsuits have already been filed against manufacturers of testosterone treatment products. They are accused of downplaying risk information linking testosterone and heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary embolisms, and death — especially for men over 65 and those with heart disease.
What is Depo-Testosterone?
Depo-Testosterone is a testosterone injection medication that is sold by Unigen Life Sciences. It is designed to treat low testosterone caused by hypogonadism. Patients receive intramuscular injections from a doctor once every 1-4 weeks. This treats symptoms of “Low T,” including fatigue, sexual dysfunction, muscle weakness, depressed mood, and more.
What is the problem?
Depo-Testosterone has been associated with life-threatening side effects that may outweigh any benefit of treating low testosterone. In January 2014, the FDA published a Safety Communication after two studies linking testosterone and heart attacks were published.
One study involving over 55,000 men found that testosterone could double the risk of heart attack for men over 65. The other study found a 30% increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in the first 90 days of treatment.
FDA Adds Heart Attack, Stroke Warnings to Testosterone Products
March 3, 2015 — In a Safety Communication, the FDA is asking manufacturers of testosterone replacement products to stop marketing them for the treatment of age-related “Low T,” add warnings about heart attacks and strokes, and start studying the long-term risks. Click here to read more.
Depo-Testosterone Lawsuit filed in California
August 22, 2014 — A lawsuit (PDF) has been filed on behalf of a man from California who used Depo-Testosterone and suffered severe heart problems. Click here to read more.
Depo-Testosterone and Blood Clot Complications
Depo-Testosterone can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs) in several ways:
- Increasing the number of red blood cells
- Thickening the blood and increasing blood volume
- Elevating blood pressure
- Increasing free-circulating estrogens
- Lowering HDL cholesterol
If a blood clot forms in the legs, it can grow very large and cause circulatory problems. Small pieces can also break loose and travel to vital organs, cutting off the supply of blood, oxygen, and nutrients. This may result in a life-threatening heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism, or death.
Depo-Testosterone Cardiovascular Risks
- Blood clots
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Pulmonary embolism
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Organ damage
- Death
- And other serious side effects
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