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Published: May 1st, 2011
Side effects of the popular diabetes drug Actos may increase the risk of bladder cancer. Health regulators in some European countries have suspended sales of the drug and the FDA required new warnings about the potential risk of bladder cancer from Actos in June 2011.
STATUS OF ACTOS BLADDER CANCER LAWSUITS: As a result of the manufacturer’s failure to adequately research the side effects of Actos or warn about the risk of bladder cancer, compensation may be available through an Actos lawsuit.
>>SUBMIT INFO ABOUT BLADDER CANCER FROM ACTOS<<
MANUFACTURER: Takeda Pharmaceuticals
OVERVIEW: Actos (pioglitazone) was approved by the FDA in July 1999 as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. It is part of the same class of drugs as Avandia (rosiglitazone), which has been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and other health problems. In recent years, use of Actos has increased as some studies have suggested that the diabetes medication may be safer than Avandia.
Recent research has suggested that Actos side effects may increase the risk of bladder cancer the longer the medications is taken.
BLADDER CANCER SIDE EFFECTS OF ACTOS: Early data from an on-going 10 year study of Actos side effects conducted by Takeda Pharmaceuticals has suggested that users of the diabetes drug may face an increased risk of cancer when the medication is taken for more than a year.
In September 2010, the FDA announced that the potential Actos bladder cancer risk was being reviewed and evaluated.
According to five-year data from the study, which involves 193,099 patients with data, 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.
In May 2011, a new study was published that provided further evidence that suggests Actos side effects may increase the risk of bladder cancer. Looking at adverse event reports made to the FDA, researchers found that about one-fifth of all reports involving bladder cancer among diabetes drug users involved Actos. Although the study does not establish a causal effect between Actos and bladder cancer, researchers suggested that there may be a disproportionate risk in comparison to other diabetes drugs.
Drug regulators in France and Germany decided to suspend sales of the drug, essentially issuing an Actos recall, in June 2011, after a review of public insurance data revealed an increased occurrence of bladder cancer.
On June 16, 2011, the FDA announced that new warnings about the risk of bladder cancer from Actos will be added to the medication label in the warnings and precautions section. Similar warnings will also be added to other medications that contain pioglitazone, the active ingredient in Actos; including, Actoplus Met, ActoplusMet XR and Duetact.
Comment by wendall on 11 September 2011:
when do these companies have to take responcibilty for the harm they do? i lost my home,cars,and self respect paying doctors , hospitols in a battle i had no chance of winning ! most of all i lost,love companinship of a wonderfull woman ,grandmother,and wife , to a drugs that are killers
Comment by Beverly on 10 October 2011:
I feel as though people are being used as guinea pigs for the pharmaceutical companies. So many drugs cause such serious & deadly side effects…often more severe than the disease itself. I am very saddened by the fact that drug companies are allowed to continue to release new medicines without sufficient testing or having strong warnings on there labels. Many like me don’t find out about side effects until they have been diagnosed with cancer caused from a medication.
Comment by RANDALL on 8 December 2011:
I have had avandyrl and actos prescribed for my diabetic condition,I,am now have cancer of the prostate. I DON,T WANT TO TAKE ANY MORE PILLS. I,am still here after 2 years of treatment thanks to my UROGLOGIST ,THANK YOU.
Comment by greg on 29 December 2011:
found out that after three years of taking actos that i end up congestive heart failure. why should we take these rug that are killing us instead of helping us it is killing us.
Comment by eazyrider on 25 May 2012:
i took actos for a few years..i stopped taking it due to myy diabetes got under control with out meds..i have arterial fibulitus..makes me wonder if im a victim too.
Comment by meech on 29 June 2012:
i take care of a 79 year old diabetic. he was taking actos now he is taking onglyza. they both raise concern for me. what are the best once a day meds for type 2? he just had surgery for an enlarged prostate which is not uncommon but it makes me wonder.
Comment by Burt on 9 April 2013:
I have taken from oct2010 to may2012 and now have been diagnosed with stomach I would like to see what other people who have had stomach cancer from using actos for diabetic use please advise the status of what is still happening