Risks Associated with Lipitor
A statin drug to treat high cholesterol was approved by the FDA in 1996 and is one the best-selling prescription medications in the world. Recent studies have found a possible link between Lipitor and the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. A University of Massachusetts study found a potential link in postmenopausal women, particularly those who had a Body Mass lndex (BMl) less than 30. Of the 153,840 women evaluated, more than 10,000 had developed Type 2 diabetes by the end of the study.
Several studies have shown that the drug Lipitor (atorvastatin) may cause diabetes, hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, pancreatitis, and other serious side effects. Lawsuits are being filed alleging that Pfizer, the manufacturer of Lipitor, failed to warn doctors and patients about the side effects of Lipitor.
Lipitor has been linked to an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes. A study by the University of Massachusetts showed that women taking Lipitor have a 48% higher risk of developing diabetes.
According to the FDA, the statins affected include:
- Altoprev (lovastatin extended-release)
- Crestor (rosuvastatin)
- Lescol (fluvastatin)
- Lipitor (atorvastatin)
- Livalo (pitavastatin)
- Mevacor (lovastatin)
- Pravachol (pravastatin)
- Zocor (simvastatin).
Products containing statins in combination with other drugs include:
- Advicor (lovastatin/niacin extended-release)
- Simcor (simvastatin/niacin extended-release)
- Vytorin (simvastatin/ezetimibe)