Lipitor is a drug made by Pfizer and is within a class of drugs known as statins. Statins lower levels of bad cholesterol. In recent years, Lipitor has been linked to increasing the risk of developing type II diabetes, a risk that was not made clear on the drug’s label until 2012.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes after treatment with Lipitor, please call McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates, P.A., at 888-353-5513 for a free case evaluation. Our defective product attorneys serve Columbia and other locations across South Carolina.
Lipitor and Type II Diabetes
Over the past several years, there have been multiple studies linking the use of Lipitor to an increased risk for developing diabetes, particularly for women between the ages of 30 and 75, and individuals with diabetes risk factors. Lipitor has been FDA approved since the 1990s, but it wasn’t until early 2012 that the FDA required Pfizer to include the diabetes risk on the drug’s label.
If you were taking Lipitor before the label was updated, you may have had no idea of the risk of type II diabetes. If you have developed this disease after taking Lipitor, you may face a lifetime of challenges related to diabetes, such as:
- Regular monitoring of your blood glucose levels
- Medication and other treatment
- Increased risk of blindness, heart disease and other diabetes complications
A study released at the beginning of 2012 followed almost 154,000 women for several years. The women who were on Lipitor and other statins were as much as 50 percent more likely to develop diabetes. None of the women had diabetes prior to the study. Several studies in the preceding years also hinted at a link between diabetes and statin use.
Dangerous Drugs and Failure to Warn
When the FDA approves a drug, the possible side effects of the drug must be included on the package’s label, and your doctor must adequately warn you of the risk of side effects. As a consumer, you trust that the information you receive about a prescription drug is accurate and complete. Only when you know all of the risks can you make an informed decision about the medications you take.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes after taking Lipitor, you may have a case to make against the pharmaceutical company for their previous failure to warn of the increased risk of diabetes.
For a free case evaluation and to learn more about our dangerous drug attorneys serving the areas of Camden, Columbia, Lexington, Sumter, Newberry and Orangeburg, South Carolina, please contact McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates, P.A.
