Another lawsuit has joined the Actos MDL (multidistrict litigation), where hundreds of similar lawsuits have been centralized. Plaintiff Michael M. claims in the new Actos lawsuit that the blood sugar medication caused him to develop bladder cancer. Michael is one of many individuals who has allegedly suffered from Actos bladder cancer.

The Actos lawsuit was filed against Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly & Company, the joint-manufacturers and sellers of Actos. The drug was approved to treat type-2 diabetes in 1999.

The plaintiff is a resident of Florida. He and other plaintiffs have claimed that the defendants failed to warn against potential Actos bladder cancer side effects. The Actos lawsuit states, “persons who were prescribed and ingested Actos for more than twelve months, including [the] Plaintiff, have suffered and may continue to suffer from bladder cancer” and that the defendants have continued to conceal this fact from Actos users and the medical community.

Actos Bladder Cancer Research

An Actos study published in 2005 found a higher increase of bladder cancer in Actos users while examining cardiovascular events in these users. Another study, focusing on the liver, also found that Actos users had a higher risk of developing bladder cancer when compared to other medications.

In 2010, the FDA issued an announcement stating that they would review a 10-year study concerning Actos bladder cancer. Five years into the study, the researchers found higher risks of bladder cancer the longer Actos was used, “reaching statistical significance after 24 months.”

More studies have been published since suggesting a correlation between Actos and bladder cancer. France and Germany even suspended the medication for health reasons.

So far no U.S. Actos recall has been issued. Instead, the FDA required the defendants to add a warning about Actos bladder cancer to the label in 2011. The warning stated: “use of the diabetes medications Actos [pioglitazone) for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.”

Actos MDL

Michael allegedly used Actos from February 2006 to September 2000 and developed bladder cancer in 2008. His alleged Actos bladder cancer required “multiple surgical procedures” to maintain, according to the Actos lawsuit. He claims he is still dealing with Actos bladder cancer.

Michael allegedly experienced pain and suffering from Actos bladder cancer in addition to economic loss and lifestyle changes.

Had the defendants warned against potential Actos side effects, Michael claisms he never would have used the drug. Instead, it is only years after developing bladder cancer that the defendants change the warning labels.

The Actos lawsuit accuses the defendants of strict liability, negligence, breach of warranties, and violation of unfair and deceptive trade practices acts.

The plaintiffs involved in the Actos MDL have all alleged that the type-2 diabetes medication caused them to develop Actos bladder cancer.

The Actos MDL was created to be presided over by U.S. District Judge Rebecca Doherty on April 12, 2012, and has been including new Actos bladder cancer complaints since.

This Actos Bladder Cancer MDL is In Re: Actos Products Liability Litigation MDL No. 6:11-md-229 filed in the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Louisiana.

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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