A consumer recently filed an Actos bladder cancer lawsuit alleging that the diabetes medication can increase patients’ risk for bladder cancer.

Plaintiff Aundray E. recently filed a lawsuit against Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly claiming that he developed Actos bladder cancer after treatment with the diabetes medication.

In 2008, Aundray says he was prescribed Actos and took the medication for several years for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

In October 2016, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer which he alleges is the direct result of his long term Actos treatment.

Actos (pioglitazone) is a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 1999. Actos is part of the thiazolidinedione (TZD) drug class, comprised of drugs which affect cellular processes to consume excess glucose.

Before the drug was approved, a two-year study was conducted on male and female rats to determine any carcinogenic side effects associated with the medicine. The results of the study allegedly showed that male rats developed drug-induced tumors.

In 2005, results were released from the PROactive study, a different three-year study which was examining cardiovascular events and outcomes.

While analyzing data from this study, researchers realized that there was a statistically significant increase in Actos bladder cancer. However, the defendants allegedly failed to reveal this information to consumers and the rest of the medical community.

“Defendants concealed their knowledge that Actos can cause bladder cancer from Plaintiff, other consumers, and the medical community,” the Actos bladder cancer lawsuit claims. “Specifically, Defendants did not adequately inform consumers and the prescribing medical community about the risks of bladder cancer with use of Actos for more than twelve months.”

In September 2010, the FDA announced that it would be reviewing results from a ten-year Actos bladder cancer study. The data allegedly showed that the risk of Actos bladder cancer increased with dosage amount and treatment time, “reaching statistical significance after 24 months.”

The following year, numerous European countries including France and Germany suspended use of Actos due to the potential for bladder cancer. Takeda then recalled Actos in France, but did not follow suit for other countries.

Aundray claims that Takeda has repeatedly prioritized their own sales over the health and safety of their American consumers.

Instead of warning consumers of the risks associated with their drug, Takeda allegedly allowed consumers to rely on false misrepresentations which allegedly did not adequately reflect the risks of Actos bladder cancer.

“Defendants, through their affirmative misrepresentations and omissions, actively concealed from Plaintiff and his physicians the true and significant risks associated with long-term Actos use,” the Actos bladder cancer lawsuit states.

Aundray alleges he has personally suffered from Actos bladder cancer and has sustained injury including life-threatening bleeding, personal injury, physical pain, mental anguish, diminished enjoyment of life, shortened life expectancy, medical expenses, and loss of earnings. He seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

The Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuit is Case No. N18C-08-266-JRJ, in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware.