Actos class action lawsuits and individual cases are being filed across the country. This started after it was found that taking Actos (pioglitazone) may have caused bladder cancer in up to 40% of patients who took it for one year or more.
In a separate study, Actos users were found to be 4% more likely to experience heart attacks or heart failure or to die. Other research suggests an even greater risk of Actos heart attack or congestive heart failure. Actos was originally released to help improve glucose (blood sugar) control levels in Type 2 diabetic adults.
Actos and Bladder Cancer
Actos class action lawsuits and individual cases are being filed nationwide because of findings that taking Actos may have caused bladder cancer in up to 40% of patients who took it for more than one year. Takeda Pharmaceuticals released Actos to help improve glucose (blood sugar) control in Type 2 diabetic adults.
Takeda Pharmaceuticals states that Actos (pioglitazone) helps your body better use the insulin you make. Actos is also supposed to help stop your liver from making more glucose or sugar when it doesn’t need to. The Actos class action lawsuit and Actos bladder cancer lawsuits allege that Takeda Pharmaceuticals knew about the risks of developing bladder cancer for diabetics who took Actos for more than one year and didn’t warn patients or doctors of the risk.
It is not being disputed that Actos can help treat Type-2 diabetes. It is being alleged that long-term treatment with Actos may cause cancerous tumors in the bladder as a side effect of using Actos. A 10-year study showed that diabetics who took Actos for more than a year had not just a slightly elevated risk of cancerous bladder tumors, but that their risk was increased by 40%. There are multiple symptoms of bladder cancer, and those taking Actos should be aware of all of them, especially if they are considering a cancer malpractice lawsuit. These bladder cancer symptoms include:
- Painful or frequent urination
- Urinary tract infection(s)
- Blood in the urine.
Actos and Heart Attacks/ Heart Failure
In addition to the increased risks of bladder cancer, clinical trials and studies show a link between Actos and congestive heart failure. This risk of Actos heart failure is so significant that the medication now carries a black-box warning, as mandated by the FDA in 2007. The warning states that Actos may cause or exacerbate congestive heart failure in some patients. Patients taking Actos should be monitored “carefully” for signs and symptoms of heart failure, including excessive, rapid weight gain; dyspnea; and/or edema.
The study involved more than 36,000 diabetes patients with an average age of 54 years and was conducted over a 33-month period. Fourteen months included treatment on either Actos or Avandia. Researchers found that 602 patients who took Avandia and 599 patients who took Actos suffered a heart attack, heart failure, or both, or died. There were 217 deaths in each group. Families of those affected may consider consulting a wrongful death lawyer for potential legal recourse.
More About: Dangerous Medications
Attorney David Mann
Before leading his own firm, Mann served for several years as in-house defense counsel for a large insurance company, which gives him unique insight into how insurance companies work. He uses this critical knowledge as an advantage for his clients. He is a tough negotiator and litigator, and he is exceptionally strategic in building cases on behalf of personal injury victims.[ Attorney Bio ]
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