It has been more than two years since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first warned the public that the continued use of the diabetes medication Actos (pioglitazone) for more than a year was associated with a significantly increased risk for bladder cancer.
Actos was first approved by the FDA for use in the United States in 1999. The success of Actos alone was responsible for the epic growth of its manufacturer Takeda, which began with only three employees the year before. Today, Takeda employs nearly 3,000 people.
Actos contains the drug pioglitazone, and it consists of a once-daily dose of type 2 diabetes treatment designed to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood glucose levels. Actos is currently marketed in 90 countries around the world in both a fixed-dose combination with metformin, as well as in a fixed-dose combination with glimepiride.
In September 2011, a French epidemiological study concluded that Actos causes bladder cancer. As a result of that test, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the French Medicines Agency (Afssaps) suspended the use of the pioglitazone-containing medicine Actos.
In response to the French study and its decision to pull Actos from the market, the FDA recommended that doctors proceed as follows:
After the FDA’s recommendations, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, the Japanese manufacturer of Actos, updated the drug’s label to include a recommendation that patients contact their doctors if they see any sign of blood in the urine or a red color in the urine or other symptoms, such as new or worsening urinary urgency or pain on urination since they started using Actos.
Our Actos injury lawyers are currently investigating claims on behalf of people who have developed bladder cancer as a result of taking this drug.
In order to verify your potential claim, our lawyers need to obtain proof of the following:
As of July 2013, thousands of Actos bladder cancer cases have been filed against Takeda and Eli Lilly as part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL) entitled In Re: Actos (pioglitazone) Products Liability Litigation (6:11-md-2299). Takeda Pharmaceuticals, America; Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. f/k/a Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. Cases are being heard by Judge Doherty and Magistrate Judge Hanna in the United States District Court in the Western District of Louisiana.
Have you taken Actos, Actoplus MET, Actoplus MET XR, or duetact–all made by the Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited–or are you currently taking Actos? You may be entitled to file a claim and obtain compensation. If you have questions regarding a potential claim, please email me, Spencer Aronfeld, or our Florida Actos claims lawyers, at 305-441-0440 or Toll Free 866-597-4529 for an initial free and no-risk consultation today.
Aronfeld Trial Lawyers is a firm of high-profile, nationally recognized legal advocates who work for you, our client, never big business. We represent cases resulting in serious injuries in the areas of Cruise Ship Injuries, Wrongful Death, Automobile Accidents, Cycling Accidents, Slip and Fall Incidents, Product Liability, Civil Rights Claims, Workplace Injuries, Maritime Law, Sexual Assault, Medical and Dental Malpractice, and others.
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