Millions of Americans suffer from type 2 diabetes. As such, diabetic drugs are widely developed and distributed by pharmaceutical companies. After the FDA significantly reduced the use of Avandia, after it was demonstrated to carry substantial cardiovascular health risks, physicians and type 2 diabetes patients, turned to Actos, or pioglitazone. However, Actos itself was soon under public scrutiny for its bladder cancer risks.
History of Actos
Actos, a type 2 diabetes drug that, with diet and exercise, helps regulate blood sugar, was approved by the FDA on July 15, 1999. In its preclinical carcinogenicity studies, a clinical equivalent dose of Actos (pioglitazone) was given to male rats, after which bladder tumors were observed.
Furthermore, results from additional clinical studies demonstrated a larger percentage of bladder cancer incidents in patients receiving Actos as opposed to other comparators. These findings were included in the “Precautions—Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility” section of the Actos drug label, however this did not change its prescription or warn patients of an increased risk bladder cancer risk.
Conclusive Bladder Cancer Risks
As further study was completed concerning the link between Actos and bladder cancer, both by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Takeda Pharmaceuticals, it was determined that there was indeed a conclusive connection between long-term use of Actos and the development of bladder cancer. As of August 2011, the FDA approved updated drug labels to include this information. In addition, physicians were advised to not prescribe Actos or other pioglitazone drugs in patients with bladder cancer and to use caution when prescribing if the patient has a history of bladder cancer. For many patients, these warnings may have come too late.
When to Contact a Massachusetts Defective Products Attorney
If you or a loved one is or was a long-term Actos-user and has been diagnosed with bladder cancer in Massachusetts, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Before speaking to an insurance company or signing any forms, contact the knowledgeable Boston bladder cancer attorneys with Kiley Law Group to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Tom Kiley, the Million Dollar Man, has recovered substantial verdicts and settlements and is dedicated to obtaining just compensation for all clients. For a free legal consultation concerning your potential Massachusetts bladder cancer lawsuit, call today at 1-888-208-1695. The call may be free, but the information, priceless.
DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited within the article. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.
