Testosterone Booster Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Herbal Supplements
Companies that sell herbal supplements commonly known as “testosterone boosters”, most of which contain Testofen, face a class action lawsuit that alleges marketing claims about the impact of the products on testosterone levels are bogus.
The complaint (PDF) filed in the U.S. District Court or the Central District of California on May 15, seeks class action status to represent all purchasers of testosterone supplements. The lawsuit seeks damages from a number of different companies that make herbal supplements that claim to increase testosterone levels, including Gencor Nutrients, Inc., GE Nutrients, Inc., General Nutrition Corporation, S&G Properties LLC, Force Factor LLC and others.
The testosterone supplement class action lawsuit was brough by Brian O’Toole, Robert Sokolove and Michael Bitton, alleging that the active ingredient in the products, Testofen, has been shown in several studies not to increase testosterone levels. However, there are more than 20 products on the market claiming it has been clinically proven to do so.
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Learn MoreTestofen is an extract created from fenugreek seeds that is allegedly able to increase a male’s testosterone levels. It is often used in supplements that claim they can increase muscle mass and boost male libido. It is also used in supplements claiming to improve erectile dysfunction.
Gencor Nutrients manufactures Testofen, and the company has indicated that it stands by its product.
General Nutrition Centers (GNC) is the exclusive seller of most Testofen products, according to the lawsuit. Those “testosterone boosters” include products like Nugenix, Troxyphen and High T.
The lawsuit alleges that Gencor claims that a clinical trial showed that Testofen increased testosterone levels, but the study, allegedly conducted in 2006, has yet to be published, and the lawsuit claims that while the company says the study can be requested if an email address is provided, such requests are ignored.
The plaintiffs indicate that even the results reported by Gencor show little proof, even if legitimate. The results of the 2006 study, as well as a 2008 study the company eventually provided, were not statistically significant, according to the lawsuit.
The complaint pursues claims for racketeering, violation of consumer protection laws, false advertising, breach of warranty, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and seeks compensatory damages returning money spent buying Testofen-based products back to consumers, as well as punitive damages.
Testosterone Drug Concerns
The class action comes amid a growing number of testosterone drug lawsuits filed against manufacturers of prescription medications designed to boost testosterone levels, including AndroGel, AndroDerm, Axiron, Testim, Foresta and others.
Concerns over the safety of testosterone treatments have increased in recent months, following a number of studies that suggest the prescription drugs may increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and sudden death.
In November 2013, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggested that older users of testosterone drugs experienced more heart attacks, strokes and death. That study was followed by a report published in the medical journal PLoSOne in January 2014, which found that low T drugs may double the risk of heart attack for young men with a prior history of heart disease, as well as for men age 65 and older who had no prior heart problems.
Following these studies the FDA announced that it is reviewing the heart safety of testosterone drugs, and it is widely expected that the regulatory agency will require stronger warnings to ensure that consumers and the medical communmity are aware of the potential risks associated with the medications.
In February 2014, the Endocrine Society warned about the serious concerns raised by recent studies, suggesting men face cardiovascular risks from testosterone drugs, urging doctors to follow their clinical practice guidelines on appropriate use of the medications. The Society called for additional studies to be completed, and suggested that doctors and patients need to discuss the risks and benefits, particularly among men with pre-existing heart disease.
In the federal court system, a motion is currently pending that seeks to consolidate and centralize all cases filed in U.S. District Courts nationwide before one judge for coordinated handling as part of an MDL, or multidistrict litigation. Following coordinated pretrial proceedings and any early “bellwether” trials, if testosterone settlement agreements are not reached to resolve the litigation, hundreds of individual trials may ultimately be scheduled throughout the country.
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17 Comments
DavidFebruary 4, 2024 at 3:05 pm
I took 3 capsules of newgenix on 1-29-24....it blew out my retina in my left eye..l have to have laser surgery on 1-6-2024.
RobertOctober 26, 2023 at 3:03 pm
Nugenix total T causing DVT/PE
kathyDecember 25, 2022 at 1:53 pm
My partner of 31 years started taking this poison a few years ago. He swore by it, but I felt that it wasn't safe and was making him impatient and irritable, something that was not in his nature. He had more patience than I. He refused to stop because he believed in the product. He was a personal fitness trainer, very athletic and no health problems. He ate right, exercised daily, and wasn't ove[Show More]My partner of 31 years started taking this poison a few years ago. He swore by it, but I felt that it wasn't safe and was making him impatient and irritable, something that was not in his nature. He had more patience than I. He refused to stop because he believed in the product. He was a personal fitness trainer, very athletic and no health problems. He ate right, exercised daily, and wasn't overweight and never had been. He went to work in April, and was found dead on the side of the road after suffering a massive heart attack. I blame this product.
RossOctober 3, 2022 at 11:45 pm
I started taking Nugenix testosterone booster August 15, 2022 and was admitted to the hospital September 29, 2022 for blood clots in my legs and lungs. The doctor firmly believes that the clots were caused by the Nugenix product.
HermMay 15, 2022 at 8:07 pm
I used Nugenix for about two years snorted it, smoked it, as a supsitory and it made me want to have sex with stray animals my wife threw me out after I started bringing home abandoned pets I found in the neighborhood then a foot started growing out of my forehead the stuff really ruined my life can you handle my case ?
LucasMay 1, 2022 at 11:29 pm
I’ve always been an active and physically fit person. I’ve plateaued in the gym so I took new Genex for a month and have had troubles in the bedroom ever cents. Have no sexual desire. My testosterone levels have dropped to almost 0 from using it.
WayneSeptember 16, 2021 at 9:37 am
I was taking nugenix for a year , It worked great , then i noticed a lump on my neck went to check it out now i have to get it removed i was pretty healthy before never had a surgery worked out every day , dont drink or smoke thinking bout seeking legal help .
SilasMay 6, 2021 at 11:56 pm
I used Nugenix for about a year and had some good results however, I stopped using the product I lost all desire for sex and suffer from cramping and a small cist which my wife had to dran.
SaundraApril 9, 2021 at 8:50 pm
My husband took Nugenix and his sugar levels soared. He is now on insulin. Has anyone had any issues with this?
AllanFebruary 1, 2021 at 2:45 am
Had mini stroke after taking nugenics.
JohnDecember 23, 2019 at 8:02 pm
I was contacting you guys to see if there was any pending lawsuits against nugenix for their total t testosterone booster as I was conned into trying it for 6 months and upon getting a blood test done to test my testosterone levels they are actually lower than what they were originally and I called for all my money back and they will not give me my money back saying that they would only reimburse [Show More]I was contacting you guys to see if there was any pending lawsuits against nugenix for their total t testosterone booster as I was conned into trying it for 6 months and upon getting a blood test done to test my testosterone levels they are actually lower than what they were originally and I called for all my money back and they will not give me my money back saying that they would only reimburse me for one bottle considering I had purchased 6 bottles in the past 6 months please contact me to let me know if there is anything I can do about it thank you sincerely John
MarkSeptember 29, 2019 at 3:08 pm
I used Nugenix for about a year and had some good results however, I had to stop my subscription due to a layoff. After I stopped using the product I lost all desire for sex and suffer from the symptoms of very low testosterone. This has greatly affected my marriage of 37 years. My wife and I have not had sex in over a year now. So unless you are prepared to use this product for the rest of your l[Show More]I used Nugenix for about a year and had some good results however, I had to stop my subscription due to a layoff. After I stopped using the product I lost all desire for sex and suffer from the symptoms of very low testosterone. This has greatly affected my marriage of 37 years. My wife and I have not had sex in over a year now. So unless you are prepared to use this product for the rest of your life stay away from it.
TravisDecember 21, 2017 at 7:12 pm
I was in great shape. Walk every day, push ups, and eat pretty healthy according to blood work. I had a stroke out of the blue Aug 12 2017. I was waiting on a charter boat to scuba dive in Panama City .EMT and Fire Department were called and they assured me of no stroke or heart attack, they say I was dehydrated. I had been taking Nugenix. Dr. In Louisiana believe it to be caused from a blood [Show More]I was in great shape. Walk every day, push ups, and eat pretty healthy according to blood work. I had a stroke out of the blue Aug 12 2017. I was waiting on a charter boat to scuba dive in Panama City .EMT and Fire Department were called and they assured me of no stroke or heart attack, they say I was dehydrated. I had been taking Nugenix. Dr. In Louisiana believe it to be caused from a blood clot .....
WilliamJanuary 17, 2015 at 4:58 pm
Started taking nugenix supplement a month ago..just left hospital with PE and clots in both lungs..I'm very active don't smoke and not over weight..
McFarlandSeptember 3, 2014 at 10:41 pm
I took nugenix, four months later I had to have emergency open heart surgery because of dvts and multiple blood clots.
RetaJune 29, 2014 at 1:43 am
My husband also developed a clotting issue after taking Low T- how long was he on this hormone?
LindaJune 9, 2014 at 2:56 pm
My husband had low testerone so he used the gels to try to help. Instead of helping, he developed Breast Cancer and lost one breast. He had to go through chemotherapy and could not work and now has swollen legs due to blood clots that formed after chemo. He was in the hospital for over two weeks when the blood clots were discovered and has been in pain since. The gel was used in 2006. He had breas[Show More]My husband had low testerone so he used the gels to try to help. Instead of helping, he developed Breast Cancer and lost one breast. He had to go through chemotherapy and could not work and now has swollen legs due to blood clots that formed after chemo. He was in the hospital for over two weeks when the blood clots were discovered and has been in pain since. The gel was used in 2006. He had breast cancer in 2007. He developed blood clots in 2008 and still has serious issues with the clots and his veins which have moved around from his feet up to his liver and then up to his heart and the veins are very large and visibly show all over his torso. He has to take shots in his stomach area every day forever and he is still in pain.