Popular Diabetes Drug Actos Linked With Bladder Cancer

Actos, the popular diabetes drug, also known as pioglitazone, has been linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer. The FDA made this announcement earlier this year to alert the public that use of the medication Actos for more than a year can be increase the risk of bladder cancer.

Facts that you need to know about pioglitazone include:

(1) Pioglitazone is a single-ingredient product which is sold under the brand name Actos;

(2) Pioglitazone is used with diet and exercise to improve control of blood sugar in adults who have type 2 diabetes; and

(3) Between January 2010 through October 2010, about 2.3 million patients who a prescription for a pioglitazone-containing product from retail pharmacies.

Studies have shown that the use of the prescription medication, Actos, can lead to a 40 percent increased risk of bladder cancer. The FDA has set out some recommendations for healthcare professionals which include not to prescribe pioglitazone to patients who suffer from active bladder cancer and to advise patients to use the medication with caution if the patient has a prior history of bladder cancer.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine described several symptoms of bladder cancer. Said symptoms include blood in your urine; low back pain; pain when you urinate; and urges to urinate frequently. Some of the treatments for bladder cancer are radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and biologic therapy.

Lawsuits have already been filed in the U.S. against Actos manufacturer Takeda Pharmaceuticals. If you or someone you know took Actos for more than a year and developed bladder cancer, you deserve compensation for the financial, emotional and physical burdens. Takeda Pharmaceuticals had a legal and moral responsibility to thoroughly research all possible harmful side effects of Actos and notify users, doctors and the FDA of any risks. Unfortunately, until the FDA’s mandated label change, the Actos label did not warn consumers of the increased risk of bladder cancer. By filing a claim, you can get the compensation you deserve, and you can help hold Takeda responsible for this negligence. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with bladder cancer after taking Actos, contact us for a free case evaluation and consultation.