If you or a loved one has suffered an injury because you were prescribed Actos®, you may be entitled to compensation. Actos® is frequently prescribed in the United States, it is used to regulate blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, after Actos® had already been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), several additional serious side effects were discovered, including congestive heart failure and an increased risk of developing bladder cancer.
Actos® and the FDA
Actos®, also known as pioglitazone, was approved for use in the United States by the FDA in 1999. It is classified as a thiazolidinedione (TZD) drug just like another popular diabetes medication, Avandia®. It was thought that Actos® was safer than Avandia®, so millions of patients were recommended to switch. By 2010, Actos® was one of the top fifteen drugs (drugs.com) being prescribed in the United States. The FDA reports that around 2.3 million people filled prescriptions for Actos® that year.
Actos® and Congestive Heart Failure
In 2007, the first aftermarket warning was added to the Actos® label. This warning is a black box warning, which is considered the most serious type of warning issued by the FDA. Numerous Actos® patients began to complain about fluid retention, edema and weight gain, all of which are signs of impending congestive heart failure. The FDA ordered a 24-week study to be completed. The study found that hospitalization rates for congestive heart failure were much greater among Actos® patients than other patient groups. Before the warning was issued, however, many people suffered congestive heart failure injuries and incurred damages as a result of taking Actos®. If you have suffered from congestive heart failure while taking Actos®, contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Actos® and Bladder Cancer
Before Actos® was approved by the FDA, a clinical study performed on male laboratory rats showed that a higher incidence of bladder cancer occurred in rats taking Actos® compared to the control group. The FDA approved Actos® but ordered the manufacturer, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, to conduct a long-term study on Actos® and bladder cancer in humans.
In 2010, Takeda released preliminary data to the FDA from the first half of the 10-year study. The FDA found that patients taking Actos® for the longest period had an increased risk of developing bladder cancer; however, they decided that the risk was not important enough for a warning to be issued.
Soon thereafter, the FDA issued an official warning about Actos® and bladder cancer. This warning states that patients using Actos® in high dosages or for longer than one year may have an increased risk of bladder cancer. It goes on to recommend that Actos® should not be prescribed to patients with active bladder cancer, and physicians must exercise caution when prescribing Actos® to patients with a history of bladder cancer.
Anyone who has taken Actos® and subsequently developed bladder cancer or experienced a worsening of pre-existing bladder cancer may be entitled to compensation. Attorneys are investigating these claims now!
Compensation for Actos® Injuries
Congestive heart failure and bladder cancer are serious diseases. They can affect a person’s health for the rest of their lives, or even cut lives short. Medical expenses to diagnose and treat these diseases are very expensive, and not many insurance policies will cover the full cost. In addition to medical costs, congestive heart failure and bladder cancer can lead to a loss of wages and enormous levels of pain and suffering. No individual or family should have to bear such burdens when someone else is at fault.
It takes an experienced team of Actos® attorneys to determine who is at fault and if damages can be recovered, but patients have to act fast. Most states impose a statute of limitations on cases like an Actos® lawsuit.
Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with bladder cancer after taking Actos®? Goldberg & Osborne can help.
The law firm of Goldberg & Osborne is dedicated to helping injured people nationwide and is currently accepting cases for Actos® victims who have been diagnosed with bladder cancer. For a FREE case evaluation, please call us toll-free at 1-800-THE-EAGLE (1-800-843-3245 ) or submit a short and simple online case form here. If you choose to submit a case inquiry through this website, a legal assistant will call you to obtain information from which our attorneys will evaluate your potential claim.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with bladder cancer after taking Actos® you may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer for your injuries. All states have time limits in which cases must be filed or they will be forever barred. Therefore, it is crucial you contact an Actos lawyer immediately.
