AndroGel FAQ

What is AndroGel used for?

AndroGel (testosterone topical gel 1% and 1.62%) is a daily testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) product that helps bring testosterone levels back to normal with daily use. It is used to treat adult males who have low or no testosterone due to certain medical conditions such as hypogonadism.

How is AndroGel Applied?

The recommended starting dose for AndroGel is 50 mg of testosterone (one 50 mg packet). The product should be applied to shoulders, upper arms, and/or stomach area only.

What is Hypogonadism?

Male hypogonadism is a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone — the hormone that plays a key role in masculine growth and development — or has an impaired ability to produce sperm or both.

Is AndroGel a Controlled Substance?

Yes. Because AndroGel contains testosterone, it is classified as a control substance (CIII) and may be a target for people who abuse prescription medications. Patients who use AndroGel should keep in in a safe place and protect it.

What’s the Problem with AndroGel?

Recent studies have found that testosterone boosters like AndroGel may significantly increase a user’s risk of developing serious side effects including heart attack, stroke, blood clots and more.

Which Side Effects has AndroGel Been Linked to?

AndroGel has been linked to the following serious side effects:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot trapped in the lungs)
• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the legs)
• Venous thromboembolism (combination of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis)
• Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Transient ischemic attacks (‘mini-strokes’)
• Brain damage
• Prostate cancer
• Larger red blood cells
• Reduced sperm count
• Edema
• Gynecomastia
• Sleep apnea
• High cholesterol
• And more

Have Any Other Testosterone Supplements Been Linked to These Side Effects?

Yes. TRT products such as Axiron, Fortesta, Striant, Delatestryl, Testopel, Androderm, Bio-T-Gel, Depo-Testosterone and Testim may also increase the risk of the above side effects.

How Can Testosterone Cause a Heart Attack?

Testosterone boosters may increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and blood clots because of their influence on red blood cells. When testosterone is administered through a gel, patch or injection, it can increase the amount of red blood cells in the body. As a result, these blood cells can begin to coagulate, or stick together, causing the blood to thicken. This makes it more difficult for blood to flow throughout the body, which can cause high blood pressure and heart problems.

What are AndroGel Lawsuits Alleging?

• AbbVie misrepresented AndroGel as safe and effective
• Marketing campaigns ignored potential risks of AndroGel treatment
• AbbVie placed sales ahead of adequate warnings

Has a Class Action Been Filed?

In June 2014, a class action lawsuit was filed against AbbVie in Canada on behalf of consumers in that country who purchased testosterone supplements. Plaintiffs accuse the company of failing to adequately warn about the risk of blood clots and cardiovascular events.

No AndroGel class action lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. However, at least 5,000 federal testosterone lawsuits have been consolidated as part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 4525) in the Northern District of Illinois. Plaintiffs allege that AndroGel and other similar products caused heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis and other serious injuries.

Have There Been Any Settlements?

To date, there have been no significant settlements reached in the AndroGel litigation. However, the first bellwether trials in the testosterone MDL are expected to begin in late 2016. Bellwether trials are used to gauge how juries are likely to respond to certain evidence and other testimony that may be offered throughout the litigation. As the bellwether cases get closer to trial, there will be increased pressure to make good faith attempts to reach Androgel settlements.

Which Injuries Qualify for a Lawsuit?

Our lawyers are reviewing potential lawsuits for former AndroGel users who suffered the following injuries:

• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Pulmonary Embolism
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Other Blood Clot Injuries
• Wrongful Death

What Damages Could I Recover?

An AndroGel lawsuit may provide victims compensation to assist with past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. In the event of a death, a lawsuit may also provide compensation for medical expenses.