Our class action lawyers are investigating claims that the drug Actos may be linked to bladder cancer. According to a FDA safety announcement concerning Actos and bladder cancer, patients taking pioglitazone, an ingredient found in these diabetes drugs, for more than a year may have an increased risk of developing cancerous tumors of the bladder.
It has also been alleged that drug maker Takeda Pharmaceutical withheld information about the Actos bladder cancer risk and failed to provide adequate warnings with its diabetes drug.
Actos Bladder Cancer Link
On June 15, 2011, the FDA released a safety announcement concerning Actos and bladder cancer. The agency released the Actos bladder cancer warning following a review of data from a five-year analysis of an ongoing study of the drug by the manufacturer, Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
While there was no overall increased risk of Actos bladder cancer among users, patients with the longest exposure to pioglitazone had a greater chance of developing the disease, according to the results. Specifically, the study revealed that patients taking the drug for more than a year had a 40% higher risk of developing Actos bladder cancer.
In light of the link between Actos and bladder cancer, the FDA has advised that pioglitazone should not be prescribed to individuals who have bladder cancer, and should be used with caution in patients with a history of the disease. The agency also advised users to be on alert for signs which may possibly indicate Actos bladder cancer, such as:
- Blood in urine
- Back or lower abdominal pain
- Urgent need to urinate
- Pain during urination
Due to the possible Actos bladder cancer link, the agency also announced that the risk will be reflected in the drug’s label and patient medication guide.