What Patients Need to Know About Actos
The pharmaceutical liability attorneys at The Law Offices of Peter Angelos discuss the dangers of Actos—a common Type 2 Diabetes medication.
Actos, a common Type 2 Diabetes medication manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, has remained at the center of thousands of patient injury lawsuits over the past several years. These lawsuits claim that Takeda Pharmaceuticals withheld information about the link between bladder cancer and the use of Actos. Many victims allege that the manufacturer acted negligently in marketing the drug, subsequently leading to users developing bladder cancer, among other dangerous conditions.
In 2015, Takeda paid more than $2 billion to settle Actos lawsuits pertaining to bladder cancer claims. However, additional lawsuits have been filed by patients who continue to allege that they were harmed using the drug. As of October, 2016, there were at least two thousand lawsuits consolidated for pretrial proceedings in a multidistrict litigation.
What are the Dangers?
Researchers have associated the use of Actos with several serious side effects. The drug has been linked to conditions such as congestive heart failure, liver failure, bone fractures, heart attack and kidney failure. In addition, the link between Actos and the development of bladder cancer has been a major concern since the FDA released a statement announcing the propensity of Actos to cause bladder cancer in 2011. The FDA safety announcement advised that those who have, or have had, bladder cancer should not use drugs containing pioglitazone. Users of Actos have been advised to contact their medical provider if they detect signs of bladder cancer such as:
- Bloody urine
- Back and abdominal pain
- Urgency in need to urinate
- Pain while urinating
What Patients Should Know:
Despite the settlements disbursed in previous lawsuits, victims of injuries related to the consumption of Actos may still be able to recover damages for their suffering. Consumers who have suffered from bladder cancer while taking Actos should promptly consult legal representation. Attorneys will be able to evaluate user claims and assess whether one may be eligible for legal action. If you believe that you or a loved one have been affected, contact Peter Angelos Law for a no-charge consultation.