OVERVIEW
Actos (generic for pioglitazone) is a commonly prescribed oral Type II Diabetes medication. Actos is manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and is distributed in the United States through Eli Lilly.
Use of the diabetes drug Actos for more than one year has been shown to increase the risk of bladder cancer by 40 percent.
BACKGROUND
In June of 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informed the public that use of the diabetes medication Actos® (pioglitazone) for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. In August 2011, information about this risk was added to the Warnings and Precautions section of the label for pioglitazone-containing medicines. The patient Medication Guide for these medicines was also revised to include information on the risk of bladder cancer.
These changes to the Actos label were based on FDA's review of data from a planned five-year interim analysis of an ongoing, ten-year epidemiological study. The five-year results showed that although there was no overall increased risk of bladder cancer with pioglitazone use, an increased risk of bladder cancer was noted among patients with the longest exposure to pioglitazone, and in those exposed to the highest cumulative dose of pioglitazone. There have also been recent developments in Europe, specifically, a recent epidemiological study conducted in France that suggests an increased risk of bladder cancer with pioglitazone.
Remember that you must speak with a qualified physician before changing your treatment regimen or stopping Actos.
ACTOS BLADDER CANCER LAWSUITS
If you have taken Actos and developed bladder cancer, you may be entitled to a substantial recovery through an Actos lawsuit to help you with your treatment and recuperation. It is important that you learn your legal options as soon as possible.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with bladder cancer after taking Actos for more than one year, you may be able to seek compensation for the associated physical, financial and emotional suffering. Please contact The Martin Law Firm TOLL-FREE at 877-777-9373 to learn more about your legal rights and options. We offer a free consultation, and our law firm represents every Actos bladder cancer lawsuit client on a contingent fee basis, meaning that there are never any legal fees or costs unless we win your case.