Doctor Claims Actos Led to Plaintiff’s Bladder Tumor

• Bladder cancer
• Stomach pain
• Painful urination
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid weight gain
• Chest pain
• Nausea
• Jaundice
• Blurred vision

The FDA had initially approved Actos for use in 1999. The drug became the top-selling diabetes medicine worldwide. Another pharmaceutical company, Novo Nordisk, developed a diabetes drug that was similar to Actos, but abandoned the medicine after finding that rats had developed cancerous tumors in their bladders after being exposed to the drug. Their refusal to sell this product triggered the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to question the safety of Actos.

Concerned by the FDA investigation, Takeda began questioning doctors about their willingness to prescribe a diabetes medicine that had a cancer warning. Despite the doctors’ concerns, Takeda refused to warn the public about the potential health risks posed by their product. In the meantime, Takeda continued to market the drug aggressively.

In 2011, the FDA warned the public about an increased risk of bladder cancer that was associated with Actos. This conclusion was based on a 10-year review of data, which showed that patients who used the drug over the longest period of time and those who received a highest dose of the drug were more at risk of bladder cancer. Following this warning, Takeda updated their warning label to include information about the increased risk of bladder cancer posed by long-term Actos use.

First Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuit Goes to Trial

Plaintiff Jack Cooper filed a lawsuit after he was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2011. Prior to the diagnosis, he had taken the Actos medication for more than two years. His case went to trial on February 19, 2013. Although more than 3,000 Actos lawsuits have been filed, Cooper’s case is the first to be heard in federal court. According to witness testimony, Cooper did not have a family history of bladder cancer. A doctor testified that Cooper’s prolonged use of Actos caused him to develop a cancerous tumor in his bladder.

More than 1,200 Actos lawsuits have been consolidated before a Federal Judge in Louisiana. The first of these cases is scheduled for trial in late 2014. The pending lawsuits claim that Takeda prioritized sales ahead of consumer health risks.

Contact an Actos Attorney

If you or a loved one has suffered adverse health effects from the use of Actos, you may be able to recover financially for your injuries. Contact an Actos class action lawsuit attorney to learn whether you meet the legal requirements to file a personal injury lawsuit against Takeda or join a class action investigation. For more information, visit the Actos Bladder Cancer Class Action Lawsuit Investigation page. On this page, you can find out more information about Actos bladder cancer injuries and how to schedule a consultation with an Actos attorney.