Intensive Statin Therapy May Increase Risk for Diabetes
In 2011, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a study comparing the impact of intensive-dose and moderate-dose statin therapy and found an increased risk for the development of type 2 diabetes in patients treated with a higher dosage of the drugs.
Statin drugs such as Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor, and Pravachol are commonly used to treat patients with high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Doctors prescribe these statin drugs along with diet and exercise to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as blood clots, blocked arteries, heart attack, and stroke for their patients.
Concern has been growing in the medical community regarding an association between the use of statin drugs and the development of type 2 diabetes. Multiple studies have been conducted using data from as many as thirteen different clinical trials (from 1996-2011) to determine the impact of statin drugs on patients. The study published by JAMA in 2011 was comprised of data from five specific statin trials and confirmed patients on intensive-dose statin drug treatment may have an increased risk for developing diabetes.
Shortly after JAMA released its study in 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety communication and label change for all statin drugs warning doctors and patients of an increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Recent studies have indicated that women taking Lipitor, or other statin drugs, have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes—especially those who have a body mass index under 25, which is considered a ‘normal’ weight range.
Our product liability attorneys are investigating claims of women who have been diagnosed with diabetes after taking Lipitor. If you or someone you care about has taken Lipitor and has been diagnosed diabetes, contact us. We have litigated thousands of product liability claims against pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers and can help you obtain compensation for your injuries.
