Actos (pioglitazone), one of the most popular type 2 diabetes drugs in the world, has been associated with the development of bladder cancer. According to some studies, long-term Actos use may increase the risk of bladder cancer by as much as 40%. Hundreds of people have already filed Actos bladder cancer lawsuits, and it is expected that thousands more claims will follow. Gilman Law LLP, a leading consumer protection law firm with over 40 years of experience safeguarding the rights of victims, is investigating Actos lawsuits on behalf of anyone who may have been harmed by this medication, as well as other drugs that contain pioglitazone, including:
- Actoplus Met
- Actoplus Met XR
- Duetact
Actos bladder cancer may have been avoided in many patients had Takeda Pharmaceuticals provided the public with adequate warnings about this risk. If you took Actos or another form of pioglitazone for more than a year and developed bladder cancer, we urge you to contact Gilman Law LLP today to learn more about filing an Actos bladder cancer lawsuit.
Actos Bladder Cancer
Actos Lawsuit National Claims Center
Actos is a prescription drug used to control blood sugar in patients diagnosed with diabetes. Actos and other pioglitazone-containing medications have been prescribed to over 2.3 million people since Actos was approved for sale in 1999. Even before it came to market, animal studies had indicated that Actos could increase the risk of developing bladder cancer. In 2002, at the behest of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Takeda began a 10-year study of Actos. In June 2011, after reviewing the 5-year interim results of the study, the FDA issued a safety announcement warning that use of pioglitazone for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.” At that time, new information about this risk was added to the “Warning and Precautions” section of the labels for Actos and other pioglitazone-containing drugs.
That same month, health authorities in Germany and France suspended sales of pioglitazone, including Actos, after a separate study found an association between long-term Actos use and bladder cancer. That study, which involved data on 1.5 million diabetic patients, found that using Actos for more than a year was associated with a 40% increased risk of bladder cancer. Later that summer, Takeda officially recalled Actos in France.
Users of Actos need to be aware that they may be at an increased risk for bladder cancer. If you take Actos, be sure to inform your doctor should you experience any of the signs or symptoms of bladder cancer, including:
- Blood in the Urine (urine may appear dark yellow, bright red or cola colored)
- Pain During Urination
- Frequent Urination
- Feeling of Need to Urinate Without Results
Legal Help for Actos Bladder Cancer Victims
Victims of Actos bladder cancer may be entitled to significant compensation. If you were injured by Actos or another pioglitazone-containing drug, the attorneys at Gilman Law LLP are here to help. For a no-obligation evaluation of your case, please fill out our online free consultation form or call us direct to speak with one of our attorneys at (888) 252-0048.
