A study conducted by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2011 indicated patients taking Lipitor (atorvastatin) had an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study compiled results of three large randomized clinical trials and found throughout all trials that patients taking a higher dosage (80mg) of Lipitor reported higher incidents of the development of type 2 diabetes.
Factors associated with Lipitor use and the development of type 2 diabetes include gender and body mass index. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define the body mass index as a number calculated from a person’s height and weight that is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. The following is a chart provided by the CDC for body mass index and weight status.
BMI | Weight Status |
Below 18.5 | Underweight |
18.5 – 24.9 | Normal |
25.0 – 29.9 | Overweight |
30.0 and Above | Obese |
Numerous clinical trials have been conducted and have indicated that women taking Lipitor–or other statin drugs– who have a body mass index of 25 or less, have an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety notice in February 2012 requiring a label change for Lipitor and other statin drugs to include an increased risk for the development of type 2 diabetes. This notice was given after the FDA completed a comprehensive review statin drugs along with adverse event reports.
Women who have taken Lipitor and have developed type 2 diabetes have filed complaints against Pfizer, the maker of Lipitor. If you or someone you care about been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after taking Lipitor, contact us. Our product liability attorneys have litigated thousands of claims against pharmaceutical and medical device companies and can discuss your legal rights and options for obtaining compensation.