Three Countries Concerned with Actos Cancer Side Effects
By Robert J. Boumis
Millions of Americans suffer from type-2 diabetes and the incidence of this disease is on the rise. Many medications can help control diabetes. Unfortunately, the popular diabetes drug Actos may be linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer.
Actos works by working directly on a patient’s DNA. Here, it modulates the production of various hormones that regulate blood sugar levels, with the goal of bringing blood sugar to healthy levels. However, it appears the effect on that patient’s DNA may also include carcinogenesis, or triggering the development of cancer.
Several epidemiological studies have found that Actos may increase the risk of bladder cancer. One study found that patients who took Actos for more than a year had a 40% increase in their risk of bladder cancer. Based on this information, federal regulatory agencies in several countries have regulated Actos more heavily.
History of Actos Side Effect Problems
The month of June 2011 was an eventful one for the manufacturers of Actos.
First, on June 9, 2011, the French Agency for the Safety of Health Products withdrew Actos from the market based on concerns related to bladder cancer. The French National Health Insurance conducted an epidemiological study on the effects of Actos, and had found a link between the drug and bladder cancer. Based on their conclusions the French Agency for the Safety of Health Products, the French equivalent of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), banned the drug from their country based on serious concerns regarding bladder cancer.
The next day, Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices – another medical regulatory agency – issued their own warnings. The German advisory told doctors not to prescribe the drug until concerns regarding bladder cancer could be better evaluated.
On June 30, 2011, the FDA announced that various studies suggested that Actos was strongly linked with bladder cancer. The FDA advised stronger warning labeling for the drug and issued a warning to doctors and patients regarding the medication.
Drug injury lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer of Actos, Takeda Pharmaceuticals. These Actos lawsuits allege that the manufacturer knew, or should have known about the serious risk of bladder cancer associated with this drug. These Actos injury lawsuits further allege that Takeda downplayed these risks, preventing patients and prescribing physicians from having the information they needed to make informed decisions regarding the safe treatment of their diabetes.
If you or someone you love took Actos, and went on to suffer serious side effects like bladder cancer, you may feel overwhelmed, and unsure of where to turn. But you have rights. And you can take steps to regain control of your life. You can start by visiting the Actos Bladder Cancer Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. Here, you can submit information regarding your situation. This information will be reviewed by a drug injury attorney who understands the way cases like this work. This initial consultation is free of charge. From here, you can receive additional guidance on the next steps to take regarding your specific situation.
Updated May 29th, 2013
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