Georgia Man Files Testosterone Drug Lawsuit

A Nashville, GA man has filed a short form complaint, which is part of the ongoing testosterone replacement therapy multidistrict litigation. George Lantis began taking Axiron in 2010 and used it until May 25, 2013. He claims testosterone replacement therapy caused him to suffer multiple serious and life-threatening blood clots.

Axiron was launched by Eli Lilly and Co. in the first quarter of 2011. It is a medicated solution used for hormone replacement in men who are unable to produce enough testosterone.

The medication is applied to the underarms, absorbed through the skin, enters the bloodstream and helps the body reach normal testosterone levels. Testosterone helps the body produce sperm and develop and maintain male sexual characteristics, such as deep voice and body hair.

Testosterone drug lawsuit

Lantis’s short form complaint cites 11 allegations against Eli Lilly and Co., including:

• Negligent Misrepresentation
• Punitive Damages
• Breach of Express Warranty
• Unjust Enrichment
• Negligence
• Strict Liability – Design Defect
• Consumer Protection
• Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantability
• Fraud
• Strict Liability – Failure to Warn
• Redhibition

About TRT

Some men suffer from primary hypogonadism and secondary hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, which are medical conditions impairing their ability to make testosterone. Hypogonadism is the diminished functional activity of the gonads, which in men is the testes. Hypogonadtropic hypogonadism is hypogonadism caused by impaired secretion of gonadotropins, a category of hormones secreted by the pituitary gland. Both primary and secondary hypogonadism are recognized pathologic endocrine disorders.

TRT products are available in several forms and delivery methods, including gels and patches that transmit the drug transdermally, pellets that are inserted under the skin and deliver the drug subcutaneously, mucoadhesives that adhere to the gum and inner cheek and intramuscular injections. These medications are approved to treat both hypogonadism and hypogonadtropic hypogonadism. None of these low T supplements have been approved to treat normal fluctuations or age-related declines in serum testosterone levels.

Testosterone therapy litigation MDL 2545

The Testosterone Replacement Therapy Products Liability Litigation MDL was established on June 6, 2014 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Federal Judge Matthew F. Kennelly is overseeing the litigation. All lawsuits pending under MDL 2545 were filed after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s January 31, 2014 announcement that it would investigate the risk of heart attacks, strokes and death in users of TRT products.

The JPML decided to consolidate pretrial proceedings to help answer common questions about the scientific information on the role of testosterone and other topics that will be covered in many of the lawsuits. Additionally, it said an MDL will help examine common regulatory issues.

All but one of the initial 45 testosterone lawsuits transferred into the MDL were filed by users of AndroGel, a product of Abbott Laboratories affiliate AbbVie Inc. The JPML said it initially reviewed suggestions for separate MDLs, but decided on one covering all products.

“We are typically hesitant to centralize litigation on an industry-wide basis,” stated the order. “In these circumstances, however, we think it is the best solution.”

The final case count is expected to be in the thousands.

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