Intended to regulate blood sugar levels in patients who do not use daily insulin injections, Duetact (generic: glimepiride and pioglitazone) assists in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, recent evidence lends weight to the long-suspected link between pioglitazone-containing medications and severe, life-threatening complications. Patients who implement a strict Duetact regimen for a prolonged period of time may significantly increase their risk of developing bladder cancer, macular edema, congestive heart failure, and several other complications.
If you or a loved one has been injured by Duetact, you should contact our lawyersimmediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.
Duetact Lawsuit Overview
Brought to the U.S. market by the same company that developed Actos, Actoplus Met, and Actoplus Met XR, Duetact was introduced into interstate commerce by Takeda Pharmaceuticals on July 28, 2006. Following mandatory regulatory actions taken by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Duetact was approved to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. By using a distinct dual action formula, Duetact has helped patients manage their diabetic situations.
Duetact is intended for the use of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a condition in which the body does not use insulin properly and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood. Pioglitazone, one of the active ingredients found in Duetact, resides in a group of medications called thiazolidinediones. As a thiazolidinediones, pioglitazone works by increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin, a natural substance that helps control blood sugar levels. Accordingly, Duetact is able to make the body utilize insulin in a more efficient manor. By doing so, patients are able to combat the symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes.
In conjunction with pioglitazone, Duetact also incorporates the use glimepiride. As an oral blood glucose-lowering drug of the sulfonylurea class, glimepiride assists pioglitazone in the management of type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar, therefore causing the pancreas to produce insulin.
Unfortunately, recent evidence lends weight to the long-suspected link between pioglitazone -containing medications and severe, life-threatening complications. Again, patients who implement a strict Duetact regimen for a prolonged period of time may significantly increase their risk of developing bladder cancer, macular edema, congestive heart failure, and several other complications. Due to the severe nature of these complications, patients may contact a lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP in regards to their potential Duetact lawsuit.
Duetact Side Effects
The following is a comprehensive list of the severe side effects associated with the use of Duetact:
- Congestive heart failure (CHF)
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Liver problems
- Fractures
- Bladder cancer
- Macular edema
The increased association with complications as severe as these may result in Duetact lawsuits against Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
Bladder Cancer
According to an FDA Drug Safety Communication, the agency has informed the public that the use of pioglitazone-containing diabetes medications for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. This safety information is based on FDA’s review of data from a planned five-year interim analysis of an ongoing, ten-year epidemiological study. The five-year results showed that although there was no overall increased risk of bladder cancer with pioglitazone use, an increased risk of bladder cancer was noted among patients with the longest exposure to pioglitazone, and in those exposed to the highest cumulative dose of pioglitazone.
As the name suggests, bladder cancer is disease that witnesses the uncontrolled growth of cancerous cells metastasize throughout the walls of the bladder. In most cases, it begins in the cells that line the inside of the bladder of older adults. If medical intervention is neglected, the cancerous cells will spread throughout the bladder, eventually killing it.
Macular Edema
According to a study presented by researchers at the University of Nottingham at the American Diabetes Association in 2011, pioglitazone-containing medications could increase the risk of developing macular edema. The study involved more than 100,000 diabetic patients living in the U.K., and found that 1.3% of those who took pioglitazone-containing medications developed macular edema after one year of use, compared to just 0.2% of those from the control group who took no such medications.
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.
Congestive Heart Failure
Pioglitazone, like other thiazolidinediones, can cause fluid retention when used alone or in combination with other antidiabetic agents, including insulin. Fluid retention may lead to or exacerbate heart failure, otherwise known as congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart’s function as a pump is inadequate to deliver oxygen rich blood to the body. Conditions that weaken the heart muscle, such as heart attacks, stroke, or toxins may result in the insufficient circulation of blood throughout the body. Eventually, the heart is burdened by the weakening of these muscles and shuts down.
Do I Have a Duetact 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 Duetact lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Again, if you or a loved one has been injured by Duetact, 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.