FDA Says 'Low-T' Drugs May Lead To Heart Disease And Stroke

Published March 4, 2015 at 11:33 AM CST

Tubes of Testim testosterone gel are seen at the Auxilium Pharmaceuticals Inc. packing facility in Norristown, Pa., Friday May 16, 2003. (Jacqueline Larma/AP)

The Food and Drug Administration issued new warnings against products claiming to treat low testosterone due to aging, and required companies making the drugs to warn patients about possible increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

The market for prescription “Low-T” treatments, as they are called, exceeded $2 billion in the U.S. in 2013 and makers may take a hit from the warnings.

But while the FDA cautioned against the drugs for aging patients, the agency does approve of treatments for men with low levels of testosterone for medical reasons, such as disorders of the testicles, pituitary gland or as a side effect of chemotherapy.

Here & Now’s Robin Young spoke with FDA reporter Anna Edney of Bloomberg News about what the new guidelines mean for patients and drug makers.

Guest

Anna Edney, FDA reporter for Bloomberg News. She tweets @annaedney.

FDA Says 'Low-T' Drugs May Lead To Heart Disease And Stroke

Guest

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