What is Actos?
Actos, first released in 1992 by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, was originally proclaimed to be a wonder drug for those struggling to control type 2 diabetes as the manufacturer promised little to no side effects. However, despite aggressive marketing tactics that led consumers to believe it was a miracle drug, pre-market tests showed that the drug was linked to adverse side effects such as blindness, bone fractures, bladder failure, and heart cancer. Unfortunately, the public was not made aware of these risks until after the drug had been circulating for years. Patients are beginning to file Actos lawsuits seeking compensation for their pain and suffering.
History of Actos
Classified within the thiazolidinedione (TZD) family, Actos works by helping the cells in the body to become more sensitive to the insulin made in the pancreas. Two out of the three drugs in this classification have already been recalled or restricted due to potential deadly side effects. Typically, as a group, TZD medications can be associated with edema and anemia as well as liver and heart problems.
Takeda Pharmaceuticals claimed that the drug was safer than its counterpart, Avandaia. Oddly enough, the drug grossed more than $5 billion in 2010 alone, despite reports and studies concluding that the drug increased the patient’s risk of congestive heart failure and bladder cancer. Currently, however, sales of the drug have leveled out since the medical industry is taking a closer look at its relationship to adverse health conditions.
Actos May Cause Harmful Side Effects
In 2012, many physicians strongly advocated that Actos should be used as a last resort, whether it is the brand name or generic version of the medication. During clinical trials of the drug, researchers studied almost 10,000 patients suffering from type 2 diabetes; results showed that individuals may exhibit a broad range of side effects that can range from mild such as sore throats and headaches to severe including congestive heart failure and cancer.
Side effects may first appear after the initial dose of the drug, or they may occur when you increase the dosage or cease taking the medication altogether. Side effects may also be related to the patient’s overall health, weight, gender, race, and ethnicity. However, some of the more common side effects include:
- Malaise
- Muscle, limb and tooth pain
- Upper respiratory infection
- Sore throat
- Allergic reactions including swelling of the face, itching, hives or skin rashes
- Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar
- Urinary tract infections
While serious side effects are less common, many patients in Actos Lawsuits have reported lactic acidosis, bone fractures, congestive heart failure, and bladder cancer. Additionally, the side effects may also worsen a pre-existing medical condition; physicians are advised to closely monitor patients who are taking the drug.
The FDA Finally Gets Involved
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) originally knew nothing regarding the side effects or potential complications, yet they made the mistake of telling the company that they could continue to market the product as long as they included more information about the drug. However, the company did not want to give up one of their best-selling products and allegedly misshaped the truth to physicians and the administration.
Although the FDA decided to approve the generic version of the medication, patients are seeking compensation from the manufacturer. In fact, the FDA finally asked the manufacturer to update the warning label on the drug in June 2011 after a 10-year-long study concluded that it was, in fact, linked to bladder cancer after 12 months of usage. They also reviewed the results from a five-year study conducted by Takeda Pharmaceuticals themselves. Specifically, the study showed that patients had a 40% higher chance of developing bladder cancer than those who did not take the drug.
Now, the FDA is investigating not just Actos, but all of the incretin mimetic drugs such as Vicoza, Janumet, Januvia, and Byetta for similar risks for developing diseases such as pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and thyroid cancer.
Actos Lawsuits
As the result of current studies surrounding the drug, Takeda Pharmaceuticals has decided to wait and see what happens as the researchers conclude their trials. However, in the interim, thousands of patients are filing Actos lawsuits against the manufacturer to seek compensation for pain, suffering, and medical expenses. Actos Lawsuits Attorneys also claim that the manufacturer knew about the risks associated with the medication, yet lied to the FDA and consumers because the drug was bringing in billions of dollars in revenue.
Contact Actos Lawsuits Attorneys
If you or a loved one have been taking Actos to control your type 2 diabetes and you have suffered adverse side effects or been diagnosed with a serious health condition, contact Attorney Group for a free, no-obligation consultation about possible Actos Lawsuits.
