Of approximately 50 million postmenopausal women in the United States, 6 million of those women participate in combination hormone replacement therapy consisting of progestrin and estrogen. Several pharmaceutical companies manufacture this drug under different names; however, Prempo was the only drug that was under scrutiny in the study conducted by the Women’s Health Initiatives (WHI).
A clinical study conducted by the WHI found that women who participate in combination hormone replacement therapy consisting of progestrin and estrogen might be at a higher risk for beast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and severe blood clots. The women participating in the study were between the ages of 50 and 79 years old. Some participants were prescribed Prempo and others were given a placebo. After monitoring the participants for approximately 5 years, the study showed that the participants who were prescribed Prempo had a 26 percent higher incidence of breast cancer, 29 percent higher incidence of heart attacks, 41 percent higher incidence of strokes, and twice as many incidences of severe blood clots than those who were given the placebo. The study found that the risk for breast cancer did not arise until the fourth year into the combination hormone replacement therapy but the risk for heart attacks and blood clots arose the first year of the therapy.
On the other hand, the study indicated that the participants who were given Prempo were 37 percent less likely to suffer from hip fractures and 34 percent less likely to get colon cancer.
Although Prempo offers some beneficial effects, the detrimental effects it has on the body is far too serious to overlook. If you have been taking Prempo and want to know what legal actions you can take, contact an attorney to discuss your options.
If you or someone you know has been injured by a defective drug such as Prempro, feel free to contact a personal injury lawyer such as Jay Trucks and Associates, PC, in Flint, Michigan.
