An Actos lawsuit against Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly and Company alleges the type-2 diabetes medication caused a Massachusetts man to develop bladder cancer.

Edward R. began using Actos in 2008 in order to treat his type-2 diabetes, according to the Actos lawsuit. He claims he used the medication appropriately, but in September 2012, he allegedly developed Actos bladder cancer.

The Actos lawsuit claims that patients who take Actos for longer than a year may develop bladder cancer caused by the drug. The plaintiff claimed that Takeda and Lilly withheld Actos bladder cancer risks from consumers and the medical community and “have yet to adequately inform” people about these risks, according to the Actos lawsuit.

Actos Bladder Cancer Studies

Actos was introduced to the United States in 1999 when Lilly and Takeda North America teamed up to launch the diabetes medication.

Several studies have since suggested a connection between bladder cancer and Actos. Before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the medication in 1999, a study performed using rats found drug-induced tumors only on male rats. In 2005, a three-year study was published that focused on potential cardiovasular side effects, but found higher rates of bladder cancer in Actos patients compared to other type-2 diabetes medications.

Kaiser Permanente began to review a 10-year study 2010 that specifically examined Actos bladder cancer risks. The health care company found that those who use Actos for longer than a year (especially two years) have a significantly higher risk of developing Actos bladder cancer. The longer the drug is used, the higher the risk, according to Kaiser’s findings.

Takeda allegedly denied these findings and claimed that “the Kaiser Permanente study has not shown a risk to patients of bladder cancer or other cancers from Actos,” according to the Actos lawsuit.

Nearly a year later, the American Diabetes Association published a study that confirmed Kaiser’s findings and argued that more studies on Actos bladder cancer should be performed and “constant epidemiologic surveillance” was needed.

Actos used was suspended in France and Germany after a French study found significantly higher bladder cancer rates in male Actos users. Takeda recalled Actos in France in July 2011.

On June 15, 2011, the FDA issued a Safety Announcement that claimed people who used Actos had increased their risk of developing bladder cancer by 40 percent. Actos bladder cancer warnings were finally added to the drug’s label.

These studies were listed throughout the Actos bladder cancer lawsuit.

Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuits

The Actos bladder cancer lawsuit claimed the defendants knew or should have known that Actos use increased bladder cancer risks after it was used for 12 months. The Actos lawsuit also claims that type-2 diabetes patients had safer alternatives they might have used had they been warned about cancer risks.

Edward claimed he suffered extreme mental and physical pain and suffering, economic loss, and emotional distress due to Actos bladder cancer. His Actos lawsuit included counts of negligence, breach of warranty, fraudulent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, negligent misrepresentation, and fraud and deceit. His wife also joined in the Actos lawsuit and claimed she suffered loss of consortium (loss of intimacy with a spouse) as a result of her husband’s Actos use.

Hundreds of Actos bladder cancer lawsuits have been filed claiming that the type-2 diabetes medication caused them to develop bladder cancer. An Actos class action lawsuit investigation has been launched.

This Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuit is Case No. 1:14-cv-13853, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual Actos lawsuit or Actos class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, Actos bladder cancer lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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