If you are a woman in otherwise good health with a body mass index (BMI) under 30, who developed diabetes while taking Lipitor (atorvastatin) to lower your blood cholesterol and/or promote good cardiac health, you may have a case against Lipitor’s manufacturer, Pfizer. Do not hesitate to schedule a consultation with a lawyer at our Williamsport office.
Pfizer required by FDA to change label in 2012
In February, 2012, Pfizer and the manufactures of other statin drugs on the market commonly used to treat elevated blood cholesterol were required by the FDA to change the drug’s label to state that “increases in HbA1c and fasting serum glucose levels have been reported with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, including Lipitor.”
Lipitor can increase the risk factor for Type 2 Diabetes
Recent studies have supported that Lipitor provides little cardiac benefit in women, while can increase the risk for developing Type 2 diabetes while taking the drug.
A study published in the British Medical Journal on May 23, 2013 found that statins that were at a higher potency may place patients at an increased risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. In that study, researchers found an increased risk of diabetes with patients given atorvastatin (Lipitor) and with simvastatin, but no increased risk with lower potency statin drugs.
Another study, published in January 2012 in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that women aged 50-70 who took Lipitor were 48% more likely to develop diabetes.
In addition on March 28, 2011 , a meta analysis from three clinical trials was published supporting increase in type 2 diabetes with Lipitor particularly in patients who have other risk factors. This study was published in the Journal of American Cardiology, and showed that the risk of developing diabetes with Lipitor was much greater when other risk factors were present for developing Type 2 diabetes.
An unpublished study that Pfizer conducted years ago shows that Lipitor provides no protective cardiac benefit in women, such as reducing myocardial infarctions (heart attacks). Pfizer chose not to publish this study.
There is a group of coordinated litigations that have been filed by women who developed type 2 diabetes while taking Lipitor in federal court, although there is not yet a multi-district litigation (MDL). The next meeting of the joint panel on multidistrict litigation meets in December, at which time hopefully MDL status will be granted to the ongoing Lipitor litigations in federal district court for the District of South Carolina. Our Pennsylvania Lipitor lawsuit attorneys can provide the guidance you need.
Free Lipitor case evaluation
If you suspect Lipitor use for more than six months caused your to develop diabetes while taking Lipitor you need legal help so you can seek justice. Contact us today to learn of your legal rights and determine whether you may be able to obtain compensation for your injury. You must be a woman with a body mass index (BMI) under 30 and must have developed diabetes while taking Lipitor. We will need to obtain your medical records to determine whether you may have a case. Call our attorneys at Rieders, Travis, Dohrmann, Mowrey, Humphrey & Waters, 570-323-8711, to see whether you may be entitled to compensation from the harm caused by Pfizer from Lipitor.