Lipitor FAQ
What is Lipitor?
Lipitor (generic: atorvastatin) is a “statin” drug used to manage and treat high levels of cholesterol. The drug works by blocking HMG-CoA reductase, a liver enzyme needed to produce low-density lipoproteins (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol.
Which Other Drugs are Statins?
There are dozens of medications in the statin class. In addition to Lipitor, some of the most popular include Advicor (lovastatin with niacin), Pravachol (pravastatin), Zocor (simvastatin) and Vytorin (simvastatin with ezetimibe). Click here for a complete list of statin drugs.
What’s the Problem?
Studies have linked Lipitor to an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, a chronic health condition that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. It is believed that Pfizer failed to adequately warn consumers of this risk, which resulted in medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages for the patients who developed diabetes as a result of taking Lipitor.
How Could Lipitor Cause Diabetes?
Although scientists have established a causal relationship between Lipitor and type 2 diabetes (meaning they have found that Lipitor can cause the disease to occur), it is still unclear exactly how this occurs. Studies have demonstrated that using Lipitor hinders the body’s ability to control blood sugar levels. Patients who take Lipitor often have dangerously high blood sugar. Scientists suspect that the medicine may interfere with the pancreas’ ability to produce insulin, a hormone that lowers blood sugar levels when released into the bloodstream.
What is the First Step to Take if I Suspect I’ve Been Injured by Lipitor?
If you feel you’ve been injured by Lipitor side effects, you should contact your doctor immediately to discuss alternative treatment options. However, you should never switch or quit taking a prescription medication without talking to your doctor first.
What Injuries is Your Firm Investigating for Potential Lawsuits?
At this time, our lawyers are only reviewing potential lawsuits for people who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after taking Lipitor. Contact us today at (866) 223-3784 for a free case review.
I Took Lipitor but am Unsure if I Qualify for a Claim. What Should I Do?
Simply fill out the contact form below and we will be in touch with you in 24 hours. Our lawyers will look at your case and have a physician check you to confirm that you have been injured by Lipitor side effects and that you qualify for a claim.
Will I be Compensated if I File a Lipitor Lawsuit?
If you were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after taking Lipitor and our lawyers determine that you have a legitimate claim against Pfizer, it is very likely that you will be able to win compensation through the filing of a lawsuit. If we can prove that the condition was the direct result of prolonged use of Lipitor, your case against the manufacturer will be strong. Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights.
What Does it Cost to File a Claim?
Our firm understands your situation, which is why we offer free consultations and claim reviews for all of our potential clients. We will explain in detail your legal rights and give you a sense of direction in your claim. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we achieve a favorable outcome in your case.
Is There a Class Action?
No class action lawsuit has been filed in the Lipitor litigation. However, in February 2014 a multidistrict litigation (MDL) was created in the District of South Carolina for all federally-filed Lipitor lawsuits. There are currently more than 2,000 cases pending in the MDL.
What’s the Difference Between a Multidistrict Litigation and a Class Action?
While multidistrict litigations are often confused with class action lawsuits, in an MDL each claim still remain its own individual case. The litigation will not proceed through one class representative, but each plaintiff must still establish that their specific diabetes diagnosis was caused by Lipitor and that Pfizer provided inadequate warnings.
Have There Been any Settlements?
As part of the Lipitor MDL, a small number of case have been prepared for early trial dates, known as “bellwether” cases, which are designed to help the parties gauge how juries may respond to certain evidence and testimony that will be repeated throughout the litigation.
The first Lipitor bellwether trials started in late 2015 / early 2016. While the outcome of these trials is not binding to other cases in the litigation, it may influence eventual negotiations with Pfizer to resolve large numbers of complaints.