Actos lawsuits for bladder cancer side effects are being filed as emerging research identifies the risks of Actos use. Call us to discuss your claim with an experienced attorney today.
The FDA recently issued a safety announcement warning patients and physicians that the use of the diabetes medication Actos (pioglitazone) for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. In light of this side effect information, the FDA has recommended that healthcare providers do not use Actos in patients with active bladder cancer, and use Actos with caution in patients with a prior history of bladder cancer. In general, the FDA suggests that the possible benefits of controlling blood sugar with Actos be weighed against the unknown risk for cancer recurrence before deciding to use Actos in patients. After reviewing the results of a recent epidemiological study conducted in France which suggested an increased risk of bladder cancer with Actos use, the medication was recalled in France and the use of Actos in new patients was advised against by officials in Germany.
Actos Uses
Actos is a prescription medication manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and used to treat type 2 diabetes, a chronic disease characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood. Actos (pioglitazone) has been on the market in the U.S. since 1999, when it was approved by the FDA as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. The medication belongs to a class of diabetes drugs called thiazolidinediones, and helps lower blood sugar levels by increasing the sensitivity of fat, liver and muscle cells to insulin. By doing so, Actos allows cells to remove glucose from the blood more effectively, thereby minimizing the symptoms of the disease. The only other thiazolidinedione medication on the market was a diabetes drug called Avandia (rosiglitazone), which was severely restricted due to a risk of major cardiovascular side effects, including heart attack.
Side Effects Potentially Linked to Actos
One of the most serious side effects potentially associated with the use of Actos is bladder cancer, a disease in which abnormal cells multiply without control in the bladder. To address the long-term risk of bladder cancer in Actos patients, Takeda Pharmaceuticals is conducting a ten-year epidemiological study of 193,099 patients with diabetes who are members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California health plan. According to the drug maker’s five-year interim analysis of the study, an increased risk of bladder cancer was noted among patients with the longest exposure to pioglitazone (Actos), and in those exposed to the highest cumulative dose of the diabetes drug. Other side effects potentially associated with Actos use include cardiovascular risks like heart disease and heart failure.
Our Attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center Can Help
The side effects possibly linked to Actos are serious and can severely affect a patient’s quality of life now and in the future. If you or a loved one has suffered from an Actos side effect like bladder cancer, heart failure or heart disease, contact an Actos attorney to discuss your claim. You may be entitled to financial compensation for the side effects you have sustained, the medical bills associated with your treatment, and the pain and suffering endured by you and your family. In addition, if your side effect is severe enough to prevent you from returning to work for a period of time, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income as well. Our reputable attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center have years of experience in handling defective drug claims, and can help you and your family collect the financial reimbursement you deserve for any health effects related to Actos.