More Lipitor lawsuits likely

It appears as if there will be more lawsuits filed against Pfizer, the maker of Lipitor.

There are at least 23 federal actions pending against the pharmaceutical giant due to the side effects associated with the cholesterol-reducing drug, including diabetes.

Earlier this year, a federal panel of judges denied a motion to consolidate Lipitor diabetes lawsuits into a multidistrict litigation. The judges noted that they were not willing to consolidate the suits because the plaintiffs suggested that more litigation against Pfizer is likely.

A number of complaints filed against Pfizer include claims that Lipitor is unsafe because it is associated with an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes and/or blood glucose levels diagnostic for Type 2 diabetes. Some of the plaintiffs also claim the drug causes other dangerous conditions such as heart disease, blindness, neuropathy and kidney disease.

The plaintiffs allege that prior to February 2012, Lipitor's labels did not warn patients about any potential relation between the drug and changes in blood sugar levels.

Those warnings were finally added to Lipitor after the Food and Drug Administration raised safety concerns about cholesterol-fighting drugs because of the risks of elevated blood sugar levels. In addition, the FDA also noted that Lipitor and similar drugs could cause other adverse reactions such as memory loss and confusion.

If you or someone you love has been affected by serious side effects associated with Lipitor, you may want to consult a personal injury attorney who can evaluate your claim to decide if legal action should be taken.