Suit Alleges Testosterone Gels Mostly Prescribed For Off-Label Use

May 4, 2015 | Crandall & Pera Law
Suit Alleges Testosterone Gels Mostly Prescribed For Off-Label Use

A slew of drugs have hit the market in the past few years to treat low testosterone in men. Some of these drugs are injectable and some come in the form of a topical gel. While there are many options, one thing is becoming clear; the side effects are outweighing the potential benefits.

There is a legitimate market for these drugs. A condition called male hypogonadism, in which a man’s body does not produce enough testosterone, can be treated with testosterone supplements. The condition can be inherited or be the result of injury or infection. In these cases, testosterone supplements can be a lifesaver.

When testosterone supplements are prescribed for anyone not suffering from hypogonadism, however, the effects can be disastrous. Topical gels can transfer to sexual partners, boosting testosterone to dangerously high levels in women. Because of a massive amount of lawsuits against the makers of “Low T” products, a consolidated suit is pending in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois.

The consolidated suit could have important ramifications; mainly, it hopes to effect changes in the ability of drug manufacturers to advertise directly to potential customers. The suit claims that manufacturers essentially created a condition (Low-T) by spending millions of dollars on advertising campaigns.

According to Forbes, “AbbVie [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="yes" overflow="visible"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"][the manufacturer of AndroGel] initially estimated that hypogonadism affects about a million men, but shortly after AndroGel was approved in 2000, the company announced that the market had grown to at least four million potential patients. By 2003, the complaint says, that number was 20 million. ‘These numbers did not, and could not represent, the number of men with the conditions for which AndroGel is indicated, which are believed to be substantially smaller,’ the complaint reads.”

Dangerous side effects


These topical gels can also cause a range of other side effects in otherwise healthy men, including:

  • Prostate cancer

  • Enlarged blood cells

  • Reduced sperm count

  • Edema

  • Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia)

  • Sleep apnea

  • High cholesterol


If you are currently taking a prescription testosterone supplement or have taken one in the past, we advise you to contact a medical professional for a full checkup. If you have suffered adverse effects from off-label use of any prescribed drug, please contact Crandall & Pera Law for a free consultation at one of our Ohio or Kentucky offices.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]