The Food and Drug Administration has approved pioglitazone, which is the first generic version of Actos, a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. The approval comes even as the number of Actos lawsuits continues to grow, as do concerns and mounting evidence that the drug may have a causal connection to bladder cancer. Pioglitazone comes from Mylan Pharmaceuticals. This generic will come with the same warnings as Actos, including one stressing that pioglitazone may cause or exacerbate heart failure or up the risk of bladder cancer.
A recent study that can be found in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute is the latest one to find that diabetes drugs with thiazolidinedione is linked to a two to three times greater risk of developing bladder cancer than if the patient were to take a diabetes medication with sulfonylurea. Conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, the study reported that this risk occurs when the drug is taken for more than five years. A little over a year ago, the FDA announced that taking Actos for longer than a year may up the bladder cancer risk.
Meantime, more people are coming forward to file their Actos lawsuits against drug maker Takeda Pharmaceuticals, its subsidiaries, and Eli Lilly, which has been active in marketing the diabetes drug in the US. Among the complaints is a California dangerous drug case involving 12 plaintiffs who believe that the reason they developed bladder cancer was because they were taking Actos. They believe the defendants should have done a better job warning about this cancer risk, knew this danger existed as far back as 1999 before it even sought FDA approval for the med, and that Takeda continued to hide this health risk with issuing inadequate warnings. They want compensatory damages for their personal injuries, mental anguish, pain and suffering, physical impairment, economic losses, and other damages.
Getting a diagnosis for bladder cancer can be a death sentence. It can also lead to invasive, painful, and costly procedures that can irrevocably alter your life and the lives of your loved ones. In addition to the physical pain and suffering, there is also the accompanying psychological and emotional pain that can result. Chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments can take their toll. To find out that a medication that was supposed to help you caused your cancer can feel like a huge betrayal.
All Actos lawsuits are being consolidated in a federal court in Louisiana under the Actos Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2299. Working with a dangerous drug law firm that handles Actos lawsuits can increase your chances of a successful case outcome.
FDA approves first generic Actos to treat type 2 diabetes, US Food and Drug Administration, August 17, 2012
Association Between Longer Therapy With Thiazolidinediones and Risk of Bladder Cancer: A Cohort Study, JNCI, August 9, 2012
Twelve People File Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuit in Los Angeles Alleging Manufacturer Misled Public Regarding Risks, the Consumer Justice Foundation Reports, Digital Journal, August 23, 2012
More Blog Posts:
Actos Lawsuits Allow Diabetes Patients to Pursue Dangerous Drug Compensation from Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., Drug Injury Lawyers Blog, August 1, 2012
Study Links Depo-Provera to Greater Breast Cancer Risk in Young Women, Drug Injury Lawyers Blog, July 16, 2012
Makers of Paxil, Celexa, Zoloft, and Other SSRI Antidepressants Named as Birth Defect Lawsuit Defendants, Drug Injury Lawyers Blog, August 13, 2012
New FDA Report Suggests Exercising Caution About Using Fosamax Long-Term, Boston Injury Lawyers Blog, May 11, 2012
At Altman & Altman, LLP, our Actos attorneys are experienced in medical malpractice, products liability, dangerous drugs, personal injury, and wrongful death. Over the years, we have helped thousands of clients obtain significant financial recoveries for the harm they have suffered and the loss of loved ones.