Testopel Heart Attack Information
Testopel (testosterone pellets) are implanted under the skin to deliver a continuous supply of testosterone for 2-4 months. Testosterone can increase the risk of developing blood clots by thickening the blood, increasing the number of red blood cells, and elevating blood pressure.
These side effects of Testim can be extremely dangerous for older men and those with narrow arteries (atherosclerosis) or heart disease.If a blood clot grows in a coronary artery, it can potentially cause a heart attack.
FDA Requires Warnings About Testopel Heart Attack Risk
March 3, 2015 — In a Safety Communication, the FDA has required warning about the possible increased risk of heart attacks on the label for Testopel. The FDA cautions that Testopel is not approved or recommended for the treatment of “Low T” associated with aging. They are also requiring new clinical trials to assess the risk of heart attacks from Testopel. Click here to read more.
Patients using Testopel should seek medical attention immediately if symptoms of a heart attack or stroke are present, such as:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Weakness in one part or one side of the body
- Slurred speech
Studies Linking Testosterone and Heart Attack
In January 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a Drug Safety Communication and started investigating the cardiovascular risks of testosterone replacement therapy.
At least three major studies have linked testosterone and heart attacks:
- One of the first studies was halted prematurely in 2010, after men on testosterone had five times as many heart attacks as men on a placebo.
- In November 2013, another study linked testosterone therapy to a 30% increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death.
- Finally, a study published in January 2014 identified a doubled risk of heart attack in testosterone users aged 65 and older — and even higher risks among all men with a pre-existing history of heart disease.
What Happens During a Heart Attack?
Heart attacks are an extremely serious medical emergency that involve a life-threatening obstruction of the coronary arteries in the heart. Normally, the heart muscle received oxygen-rich blood through the coronary arteries. If these arteries are blocked with a blood clot or fatty plaque, the heart muscle is “starved” of oxygen and it begins to die.
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