Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuit

Recent studies have found that the popular diabetes drug Actos has been linked to an increased risk for bladder cancer among users who take the medication for an extended period of time. As a result of Takeda’s negligence in failing to adequately research and test the side effects of its drug, compensation may be available through an Actos bladder cancer lawsuit. The Actos lawyers at Schmidt & Clark, LLP are currently reviewing lawsuits for individuals who have been diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Free Confidential Case Review: If you or a loved one has been injured by Actos, you should contact us as soon as possible for a free confidential review of your potential case.

Actos Background

Manufactured and marketed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Actos (pioglitazone) is an FDA-approved diabetes medication used to control blood sugar in type-II diabetics. It is sold alone or in combination with metformin (Actoplus Met, Actoplus Met XR) and glimepiride (Duetact). Actos belongs to a class of medications called thiazolidinediones, the only other member of which, Avandia, was banned from the U.S. market in May 2011 because it had been conclusively linked to an increased risk of heart attacks. In 2010 alone, more than two million prescriptions for Actos were filled.

Actos Bladder Cancer FDA Warning

In June 2011, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a press release warning the public and medical communities that Actos may increase the risk of bladder cancer in users who take the drug for a period of one year or more. The warning came less than a week after Germany and France banned Actos over similar concerns, and was based on the FDA’s review of a study that found the drug increased the risk of bladder cancer among individuals taking it over an extended period of time at the highest doses.

“Compared to never being exposed to pioglitazone, a duration of pioglitazone therapy longer than 12 months was associated with a 40 percent increase in risk [for bladder cancer],” the agency said.

In response to the new information, the FDA has advised healthcare professionals not to prescribe Actos to individuals with bladder cancer, and to use it with extreme caution in patients who have had bladder cancer at some point in the past. Additionally, the administration stated that “the benefits of blood sugar control with pioglitazone should be weighed against the unknown risks for cancer recurrence.”

The administration is also requiring that new warnings about the risk of bladder cancer from Actos be added to the Warnings and Precautions section of the drug’s labeling. Similar warnings will also be added to other medications that contain pioglitazone including Actoplus Met, ActoplusMet XR and Duetact.

Signs & Symptoms of Actos Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer begins when normal cells in the bladder begin to change and grow uncontrollably, resulting in a mass called a tumor. A tumor can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant, meaning that it can spread to other parts of the body. Potential signs and symptoms of Actos-induced bladder cancer may include (but are not limited to):

• sensation of needing to urinate without results
• pain while urinating
• blood found in the urine
• frequent urination

If You Are Taking Actos

If you are taking Actos, you may experience any number of side effects. It is impossible to know exactly which side effects an individual may experience because they vary greatly from case to case. In the unfortunate event that you have been diagnosed with bladder cancer after taking Actos for an extended period of time, please contact our law firm at (866) 588-0600 or fill out our online form below.

We’re Here To Help – Contact an Actos Bladder Cancer Lawyer Today

The Defective Drug Litigation Group at our law firm includes some of America’s most passionate, accomplished and skilled trial lawyers. When choosing our firm to represent you in your potential Actos bladder cancer claim, you will not only gain access to a level of professional legal representation previously available only to large corporations, but also to an exceptional level of personal attention and customer service from compassionate trial lawyers found at no other law firm.

We are handling individual lawsuits nationwide and currently accepting new Actos bladder cancer cases in all 50 states.

If you or a loved one has been injured by Actos, you should contact us as soon as possible for a free confidential review of your potential case.