Did Using Lipitor Put Me at an Increased Risk of Severe Diabetes Symptoms? 

 Posted on November 02, 2021 in Personal Injury

Lipitor, or atorvastatin, is a drug that is often prescribed to patients whose “bad” cholesterol levels are too high. Like any FDA-approved drug, Lipitor can be helpful to those for whom its use is appropriate, potentially lowering the risk of heart disease. But studies suggest Lipitor has serious side effects, including causing users to develop type 2 diabetes.

A recently published study in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that users of Lipitor and other statin medications are at a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes or, if patients already suffered from type 2 diabetes, developing more severe symptoms. Serious symptoms of type 2 diabetes include breakdown of muscle tissue, kidney damage, seizures, insulin resistance, unconsciousness, and even death. These can present serious and even fatal threats to Lipitor users, causing many patients to wonder whether they have grounds for a personal injury case against the manufacturer of the medicine or against a doctor for a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Physician’s Failure Explain Known Potential Side Effects

Doctors have a responsibility to ensure that they understand the side effects of a drug before diagnosing it. This includes any possible interactions with other drugs or foods. For example, with Lipitor and other statin medications, eating grapefruit can enhance the amount of the drug in the user’s body and increase side effects. Furthermore, a doctor must ensure that the benefits of the medicine outweigh the potential risks. For patients who already struggle with serious symptoms of type 2 diabetes, Lipitor may make things worse. Doctors who improperly prescribe drugs may be responsible for medical malpractice.

Drug Manufacturer’s Failure to Divulge Known Potential Side Effects

Even the most well-meaning of doctors cannot provide patients with information about serious side effects if a drug company does not provide that information. Complaints about Lipitor frequently include that the drug manufacturer did not adequately publish information about known side effects. A link between Lipitor and type 2 diabetes has been uncovered, and in some patients, this can result in a permanent condition that requires constant monitoring and treatment.  This leads to high medical bills, physical pain and suffering, and lost wages for people adversely affected by Lipitor use.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Elmhurst Personal Injury Lawyer

If you are afraid that using Lipitor caused you or a loved one to suffer serious type 2 diabetes-related injuries or death, an experienced Glen Ellyn personal injury attorney with Schwartz Injury Law may be able to help. Our skilled and compassionate attorneys can help you determine whether you have a case, and, if so, help you pursue the compensation to which you are entitled. We have a proven track record of achieving significant results for our clients. Schedule a confidential consultation by calling our offices today at 708-888-2160.

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-3330/lipitor-oral/details 

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2784799?guestAccessKey=a3d0cc91-1e63-450e-a661-5afeddb9053a&utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_content=tfl&utm_term=100421