Lipitor Recalls and Injuries

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men and women in the United States. Thankfully, there are prescription drugs available that can lower the chance of cardiovascular issues and heart disease.

Many healthcare professionals prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications called statins to prevent heart disease. Lipitor is a popular statin drug made by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. Unfortunately, studies show the medicine may cause health complications and adverse events.

This section discusses how Lipitor works and the potential injuries associated with its use. You’ll also find information on Lipitor recalls and your legal options if injured by the drug. If you’ve developed an illness after taking Lipitor, consider contacting a product liability attorney for personalized legal advice. 

How Does Lipitor Work?

Pfizer designed Lipitor to lower bad cholesterol and fats (triglycerides). Generic Lipitor (atorvastatin) works the same way. The drug also raises good cholesterol levels. Lipitor works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver.

Common Problems and Injuries Associated With Lipitor

The most common complication associated with Lipitor is muscle pain. This can involve the following:

• Soreness
• Tiredness
• Weakness in the muscles

The pain can be so excruciating that it interferes with routine activities like walking and climbing stairs.

Lipitor can also cause an increased risk of rhabdomyolysis, which may lead to severe kidney failure, liver damage, and death.

Other risk factors include the following:

• Liver damage — Lipitor can cause an increase in liver enzymes.
• Digestive issues — Lipitor may cause nausea, gas, constipation, or diarrhea.
• Type 2 diabetes — Lipitor may increase your blood sugar, which could lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. The company also includes a warning about raised blood sugar and diabetes on all statin medications.
• Neurological issues — Some people reported memory loss or confusion while taking statin medication.
• Heart attack — There are also claims that Lipitor causes heart attacks.

Lipitor Recalls

A recall occurs when a manufacturer removes a product from the market due to possible defects. Pfizer recalled specific bottles of Lipitor (40 mg only) due to reports of an unusual odor. But there was no evidence that this odor caused an adverse reaction.

Pfizer still stands behind Lipitor and insists the medication is safe. It claims the recall was for a packaging issue. Despite the Lipitor recall, Pfizer did not refund patients over the smell.

A generic version of Lipitor called atorvastatin calcium, made by Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, was also the subject of a separate recall. Ranbaxy issued the recall because pills reportedly had specks of glass in them.

Lipitor Lawsuits and Litigation

Many people sued Pfizer for injuries they sustained while taking Lipitor. Some claimed the drug caused muscle problems and memory loss. Many plaintiffs also alleged that Lipitor caused them to develop diabetes.

But the FDA has said that the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is so remote that the benefits of statin medication outweigh the risks. Generally, these lawsuits claim Pfizer is liable under product liability law.

Under product liability law, drug manufacturers must give patients adequate warnings about the dangers of their products. Some states hold manufacturers strictly liable for defective medications. This means you don’t need to prove negligence.

An Attorney Can Help With a Lipitor Recall Claim

If you or a loved one developed an illness after taking Lipitor, first see a healthcare professional. Then, consider contacting an attorney for legal advice and advocacy. Drug companies have specialized in-house legal teams fighting for them. You should have expert legal help in your corner, too.

An experienced lawyer can help hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for their products. They can help gather medical evidence, expert testimony, and other documentation to support your claim.

FindLaw’s directory of product liability lawyers can get you started. Select your state or city to review contact and ratings information for local experts. Your search results will also link you to additional details about the attorneys’ experience with dangerous drug cases. Most law offices offer free case evaluations.