Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuit
Actos is a recent drug in the thiazolidinedione class, which is used by itself or in combination with other drugs (including insulin) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The medicine lowers blood glucose levels and increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Actos in 1999.
Type 2 diabetes currently impacts nearly 20 million Americans. The disease involves high blood glucose levels caused by the body’s inability to properly use insulin. If the condition is left untreated, it can lead to blindness, kidney problems, cardiovascular disease, and bladder cancer.
Actos Lawyers
Soon after the approval of Actos, another thiazolidinedione drug called Rezulin was taken down from the shelves. Numerous reports surfaced that patients taking Rezulin had developed fatal liver disease.
More cases came forward after people took Actos or Avandia and developed congestive heart disease. The American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association issued a warning for diabetics taking Actos that they were at an increased risk of developing heart disease and bladder cancer.
Actos Lawsuit
The FDA recently issued a new warning based on its review of information from an ongoing clinical trial which showed Actos increased the risk of patients developing bladder cancer after taking the drug for more than a year.
As a result, the FDA required the producers of Actos to release, and now include, a black box warning (highest and strongest label change) about the serious risks associated with use of the drug.
Currently, the FDA is still going over trials to decide whether further action – such as a recall – is necessary.
Actos Bladder Cancer Symptoms
There are several side effects associated with Actos. You should seek medical attention if you experience:
- shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- chest pain
- extreme fatigue
- irregular heartbeat
- dilated neck veins
- swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
- decreased urine output
- weight gain
Currently, the FDA is advising physicians not to use Actos in patients with bladder cancer. Patients should talk to their medical doctor about any issues they might have.
The FDA says diabetes patients should also notify their doctor if they are experiencing symptoms of bladder cancer such as:
- Blood in the Urine
- Pain During Urination
- Frequent Urination
- Urinary Pressure Without Results
The Strom Law Firm is now accepting product liability and personal injury cases regarding the diabetes drug Actos and its association with bladder cancer. Call us today to schedule a free consultation. 803.252.4800
By: South Carolina Personal Injury Attorney Pete Strom
