Several new plaintiffs add to the growing pile of Actos lawsuits against Takeda Pharmaceuticals, alleging that the type-2 diabetes medication caused life-threatening injuries, specifically bladder cancer.

Each of these plaintiffs either took Actos to treat their type-2 diabetes symptoms or are suing Takeda on behalf of a loved one who suffered an alleged Actos injury. Each of the victims alleges that they had no prior warning to their injuries, and had no way of knowing that they would suffer in such a way beforehand. Each of these people allegedly suffered serious economic infractions, and will most likely be on extensive medical care for the remainder of their lives.

These Actos lawsuits are joining the Actos multidistrict litigation (MDL) currently underway in a Louisiana federal court. The new plaintiffs in this MDL are as follows:

• Georgia plaintiffs Cecil and Diane Lyle are suing Takeda for the injuries Cecil Lyle allegedly suffered after ingesting Actos from 2007 to 2013. Mr. Lyle had been diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2013, which he alleges was caused by Actos. Mr. Lyle claims that he had no way of knowing that Actos was associated with bladder cancer until his diagnosis.
• Georgia plaintiff Thomas Winchester alleges that he developed bladder cancer from taking Actos. Winchester had taken Actos between 2004 and 2014, and was reportedly diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2013. Winchester states that there were no warnings or indications on Actos’ warning label about the risk of bladder cancer.
• Ohio plaintiff Amy Papesh and Georgia plaintiffs Roberta Turner and Deborrah Fisher have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Takeda Pharmaceuticals alleging that Alonzo Turner Jr. died from Actos bladder cancer. Amy Papesh is the appointed Administrator of the Estate of Mr. Turner, while Mrs.Turner is the surviving spouse of Mr. Turner, and Fisher is the surviving child of Mr. Turner. He had reportedly  been prescribed Actos from 2008 to August 2012, in order to help manage his diabetic symptoms. Turner allegedly developed bladder cancer in 2012 from the medication, and had ultimately died from the condition on Sept. 10, 2012.

Each of these plaintiffs alleges that there were no indications on the drug’s warning label stating that bladder cancer was a risk associated with Actos, and if they had known about this possible Actos complication, none of them would have taken the drug. Furthermore, each of the plaintiffs insists that Takeda had the responsibility to warn them and other patients of all possible side effects of their products, because the public relies on the accuracy of the given information.

Overview of Actos Complications

Actos was jointly launched in the United States by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and its American partner Eli Lilly & Co. in the year of 1999, when it was approved to be used in the United States. This drug is a part of insulin-sensitizing diabetes agents known as thiazolidinediones (TZDs). These drugs only work in the presence of insulin, and are therefore ineffective against type-1 diabetes. Actos was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the symptoms of type-2 diabetes, and was thought to be a successful based on pre-clinical trials produced by Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

These lab results were called into question as injury reports indicating the drug was causing bladder cancer started pouring into the FDA. It was later discovered that Takeda hid lab results indicating that lab mice developed cancerous cysts after being exposed to the medication.

Additionally, since the drug’s release, numerous studies have been conducted to observe whether or not Actos causes severe side effects like bladder cancer. Each of the studies found that the subjects showed that the drug was likely to cause such damage. An official warning regarding this matter was released by the FDA on Sept. 17, 2010.

The Actos Bladder Cancer MDL is In Re: Actos Product Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2299, in the U.S. District Court of Western Louisiana.