40% Increase In Bladder Cancer for Takers of Actos

According to a recent report by the Associated Press, several law firms already represent more than 100 clients who are considering a potential Actos lawsuit, due to the bladder cancer the drug may have cause, and the number of cases is expected to continue to grow as Actos lawyers run advertisements to inform individuals who developed bladder cancer that they may be able to pursue compensation through a lawsuit. Since warnings were issued in June, several Actos bladder cancer lawsuits have been filed in U.S. Courts. One of the first was filed by Nancy Rios, 54, who took Actos for nearly a decade. According to the Associated Press, Rios was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2009, and has undergone two surgeries to remove tumors. She has missed work and is worried about paying her medical bills. She may end up losing her bladder, and could require chemotherapy.

New research suggests that users of Actos may face an increased risk of bladder cancer. The potential risk of Actos cancer problems is now being reviewed by health regulators in the United States and other countries throughout the world. Some experts believe that an Actos recall should be issued or that new warnings about the risk of bladder cancer from Actos should be added to the medication. Although it appears that information about the risk of Actos cancer problems has been known to the manufacturer for some time, inadequate warnings were provided to consumers and the medical community.

Actos was approved by FDA to treat Type 2 Diabetes in July, 1999. It is a once-a-day pill that increased the body’s sensitivity to insulin. The medication has grown in popularity in recent years, after studies linked it’s primary competitor, Avandia, to an increased risk of heart attacks and death. Last year, Actos generated $4.3 billion in sales for Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Possible signs or symptoms of Actos bladder cancer may include: blood in the urine, pain during urination, frequent urination and feeling of need to urinate without results. The FDA performed a study, involving 193,099 patients with diabetes. The agency has determined that a patient taking Actos for 12 months or longer had a 40% increased risk of developing bladder cancer. The risk increased with both dose size and duration of treatment.