New Lipitor diabetes cases are no longer being accepted. This page is maintained for informational purposes only.

Side Effects of Lipitor Linked to Diabetes Risk

Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a blockbuster cholesterol drug fighting manufactured by Pfizer, which has been used by millions of individuals throughout the United States to help reduce cholesterol levels and improve their health.

However, it appears that consumers have been provided inadequate warnings and information about the potential Lipitor side effects, which could increase the risk diabetes.

Although studies have suggested the potential link between Lipitor and diabetes for years, Pfizer placed their desire for profits before consumers safety by failing to warn about the potential health risks from Lipitor.

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are no longer reviewing potential claims.

Lipitor and Diabetes Risk

Lipitor is a member of a class of drugs known as statins, which work by preventing the liver from creating an enzyme that helps the body produce cholesterol. This helps the body reduce the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as “bad cholesterol.”

In February 2012, the FDA announced that the Lipitor warning label would be updated to add information about the potential risk of diabetes and increased blood glucose levels. However, the information provided by Pfizer was inadequate and misleading, continuing to withhold information about the extent of the risk of diabetes from Lipitor.

Type 2 diabetes from Lipitor poses a serious health concern, substantially increasing the risk of heart disease, blindness, neuropathy and kidney disease.

Those with Type 2 diabetes either produce too much blood sugar, do not produce enough insulin or their blood cells ignore insulin.

Potential symptoms of diabetes from Lipitor could include:

  • Frequent Urination
  • Unusual Thirst, Hunter or Weight Loss
  • Fatigue and Irritability
  • Frequent Infections
  • Blurred Vision
  • Slow Healing Cuts and Bruises
  • Tingling and Numbness in Hands or Feet

Diabetes Side Effects of Lipitor

While Pfizer has actively promoted Lipitor as safe and effective, they have ignored a number of studies and reports that strongly suggested a link between diabetes and Lipitor side effects.

In 2004, research published in the medical journal Circulation suggested that high doses of Lipitor were associated with worse glycemic control for patients. While a number of prior studies had examined the risk of diabetes with statins in general, this study, known as PROVE-IT TIMI 22, looked specifically at Lipitor.

In February 2010, a study published in the medical journal The Lancet suggested that side effect of Lipitor and other statin medications may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes compared to those who did not use the medications.

That connection was further strengthened in March 2011, when a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes with Lipitor specifically.

Lawsuits Over Failure to Warn About Lipitor Diabetes Risk

The manufacturer of Lipitor had access to the same clinical data the FDA and other researchers reviewed, and it appears that Pfizer knew or should have known that Lipitor increases the risk of diabetes for years before any warnings were provided.

Despite the connection between Lipitor and type 2 diabetes, the drug warning label continues to provide misleading and inaccurate information, failing to adequately warn consumers or the medical community about the risk. If proper warnings had been provided, users may have avoided the risk of diabetes by either not taking Lipitor or closely monitoring blood glucose levels.

As a result of Pfizer’s decision to place their desire for profits before consumer safety, the Lipitor diabetes lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. previously reviewed potential failure to warn lawsuits for women diagnosed with diabetes after using Lipitor.

New cases are no longer being accepted. This page is maintained for informational purposes only.