Actos Lawsuit Attorney in Fulton

Doctors have been prescribing Actos to treat Type-2 diabetes since the drug hit the market in 1999. The drug manufacturing company, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, has made billions of dollars selling Actos – its “blockbuster” drug. The company has never admitted a link between the drug and any serious health problems. Today, however, studies show long-term use of Actos causes two fatal health complications.

What is Actos?

Actos is an oral tablet that treats Type-2 diabetes. It is not for use in treating Type-1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. Doctors do not recommend it for children under the age of 18. Many prescribe it adults regularly in the United States today. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Actos and other variations of pioglitazone for sale in 1999, 2005, 2006, and 2009.

Actos works by decreasing insulin resistance in the body. It decreases the amount of glucose the liver makes, and it helps the body get rid of excess blood sugar. With regular exercise and a healthy diet, Actos helps control blood sugar. Recently, however, scientists found a link between Actos and bladder cancer, making consumers think twice about using Actos.

Takeda and Eli Lilly, another drug manufacturer, partnered to market the drug to the masses, eventually making it one of the most successful diabetes treatments on the market. From 1999 to 2011, neither manufacturer warned the public of any risks of serious health problems. When scientists linked Actos to bladder cancer, the FDA made Takeda update its warning label, but it did not make physicians stop prescribing the drug to patients.

Health Risks Associated with Actos

Prior to 2012, Takeda’s preclinical trials came to the same conclusion. Lab rat tests linked pioglitazone to bladder problems; male rats suffered bladder tumors after taking Actos. Today, the FDA requires Takeda to perform a 10-year study of Actos’ link to bladder cancer and publish the results as soon as new data becomes available.

Studies prove that taking Actos for an extended period of time greatly increases a patient’s risk of bladder cancer. The symptoms of bladder cancer include bloody urine, bladder infections, back pain, abdominal pain, and painful urination. Symptoms are typically mild and patients don’t often recognize them. In fact, victims of bladder cancer generally don’t realize they have the disease until they undergo a urine analysis.

Another serious health risk researchers have associated with Actos is congestive heart failure. Clinical trials confirmed the link between Actos and heart failure, causing the FDA to require Takeda to put a black-box warning on the drug. The warning states that users face a significant risk of developing congestive heart failure, whether they have a history of heart problems or not. Studies continue to link Actos to heart failure and heart attacks, yet the drug is still on the market.

Lawsuits Against Takeda

Sufferers who developed congestive heart failure or bladder cancer after taking Actos have filed claims against Takeda on numerous counts, complaining that the company failed to warn the public of the drug’s potential risks and even took steps to conceal the information. Despite the large number of claims against the company, Takeda refuses to recall Actos or admit its relationship to bladder cancer.

After years of litigation, bladder cancer victims are finally obtaining compensation for their suffering. In 2015, Takeda made a $2.4 billion settlement to those the drug injured. If a doctor diagnosed you or a loved one with bladder cancer after taking Actos, you may have a right to a portion of the settlement. Contact Discepolo Firm today to discuss your options with an experienced local lawyer. With years of experience handling cases against large manufacturers, we have the skill and resources to support your fight against negligent drug companies like Takeda.