Actos (generic: pioglitazone) is an orally administered diabetes medication that assists in the treatment of blood sugar regulation. However, recent evidence suggests that the type 2 diabetes medication may be responsible for catastrophic Actos side effects. Patients who implement a regimen of the diabetes medication may increase their risk of developing macular edema or severe, life-threatening Actos bladder cancer.
If you or a loved one has been injured by Actos, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.
What’s the problem?
Actos is the product of a Japanese pharmaceutical company known as Takeda Pharmaceuticals. It gained the approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be sold in America as a type 2 diabetes medication on July 15, 1999. Upon conception, Actos has since become one of the most popular diabetes medications on the planet. In the last financial year alone, Actos generated $4.8 billion in sales for Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
Actos is intended for the use of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood. Pioglitazone, the active ingredient in Actos, resides in a group of medications known as thiazolidinediones. As a thiazolidinediones, pioglitazone works by increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin, a natural substance that helps control blood sugar levels. Accordingly, Actos is able to utilize insulin in an efficient manor that assists in the regulation of blood sugar. By doing so, patients are able to combat the symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes.
Unfortunately many patients do not realize that severe Actos side effects coincide with continual use of the diabetes medication. Patients who implement a regimen of Actos may increase their risk of developing macular edema or severe, life-threatening bladder cancer. Due to the severity of these complications, patients may contact an Actos lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation of their potential Actos lawsuit.
Actos Side Effects
Actos side effects include the following:
- Shortness of breath
- Actos bladder cancer
- Actos macular edema
- Swelling
- Rapid weight gain
- Chest pain
- Ill feeling
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Fever
- Dark urine
These Actos side effects have been reported by individuals who have undergone a strict Regimen of the type 2 diabetes medication. However, they may also serve as indicators for more severe complications. Recent studies suggest that Actos may be responsible for patients developing macular edema or severe, life-threatening bladder cancer. Due to the severity of these side effects, patients may contact an Actos lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation of their potential Actos lawsuit.
Actos Bladder Cancer
Recent evidence acquired by European healthcare officials lends weight to the long-suspected link between Actos and bladder cancer. In fact, the French Medicines Agency believes that Actos’ association with bladder cancer is so significant, that they banned it from their country. They believe the risk Actos bladder cancer does not warrant the use of the diabetes medication.
As the name suggests, bladder cancer is a form of cancer that affects the bladder. In most cases, it begins in the cells that line the inside of the bladder of older adults. The symptoms of Actos bladder cancer may include the following:
- Blood in urine
- Frequent urination
- Painful urination
- Urinary tract infection
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
In early stages, Actos bladder cancer is readily and easily treatable. Most patients who catch it before it metastasizes experience a high success rate. However, if treatment is neglected, patients may be subjected to extreme pain and suffering that can ultimately end in death. Treatments include a number of surgical procedures to remove the cancerous cells, but if the cancer has spread, a patient may need to undergo exhausting chemotherapy, radiation therapy or biological therapy. Due to the severity of Actos bladder cancer, patients may contact an Actos lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation of their potential Actos lawsuit.
Actos Macular Edema
Amid festering concerns regarding Actos’ association with bladder cancer, recently obtained evidence suggests the diabetes medication may also be responsible for a significant increase in the risk of developing macular edema. Researchers from the University of Nottingham discovered that diabetics who fail to keep their blood sugar under control with Actos may increase their risk of developing macular edema, a condition that can ultimately cause an individual to go blind.
Macular edema occurs when fluid and protein deposits collect on or under the macula of the eye and causes it to thicken and swell. The swelling can potentially distort a person’s central vision, as the macula is near the center of the retina at the back of the eyeball. Due to the severity macular edema, patients may contact an Actos lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation of their potential Actos lawsuit.
Actos Banned In Europe
The French Medicines Agency removed Actos from pharmacy shelves after a government-funded study discovered that it significantly increased the risk of developing bladder cancer. The agency told French doctors to stop prescribing the drugs to patients, but said people currently using them should consult their doctors. German health officials followed close behind after reviewing the French report, which tracked diabetics from 2006 to 2009.
In the U.S., the FDA initiated a safety review of Actos and its potential to increase the risk of bladder cancer last September. Scientists writing in the journal Diabetes Carerecently noted that between 2004 and 2009, more than half a million adverse reactions among people taking anti-diabetic drugs were added to an official FDA database. Among those reports were 138 instances of bladder cancer in patients taking at least one of more than 15 different anti-diabetic drugs — and more than a fifth were in patients taking Actos. Due to the severity of these complications, patients may contact an Actos lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation of their potential Actos lawsuit.
Do I Have An Actos Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in Actos lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Again, if you or a loved one has been injured by Actos, you should contact our lawyers immediately by clicking the link below or calling toll free 1-(949) 557-5800. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.