Actos, a member of the thiazolidinedione family, is a medication allegedly linked to serious health conditions including bladder cancer and cardiovascular complications. Affected patients are advised to seek legal counsel from an experienced Kentucky Actos attorney to seek compensation for injuries, alleging adverse side effects, an increased risk of bone fractures and liver problems. There is currently a black-box warning on the medication informing patients of its potential link to congestive heart failure yet the medication has not been recalled.
Those who have been taking the drug to help treat type 2 diabetes and have been diagnosed with health complications are urged to seek advice from a professional Kentucky Actos attorney who can help to determine if they are eligible to receive compensation for their injuries.
Why Take Actos?
Patients currently living with type 2 diabetes are often prescribed the medication to help them better regulate their blood glucose levels. Its manufacturer, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, maintains that Actos helps to increase the cells’ sensitivity to insulin, thus allowing glucose to travel more easily into the cells themselves. In turn, the patient is able to better manage blood glucose levels. The manufacturer had originally marketed the medication as a “wonder drug,” suggesting to some patients that they would suffer from little to no side effects during treatment.
Side Effects
While many patients have successfully taken the drug without reporting complications, studies have linked the medication to bladder cancer. Kentucky Actos attorneys note that plaintiffs filing lawsuits allege that Actos caused side effects coinciding with those of the condition including:
- Feeling the need to urinate but being unable to do so
- Blood in the urine
- Frequent urination
- Pain during urination
Financial compensation may be available for patients diagnosed with bladder cancer by a healthcare physician during or following the use of the medication. An experienced Kentucky Actos attorney can review cases and determine whether a patient is entitled to receive compensation.
Actos Complications Arise
Concerns about bladder cancer first came to attention when studies showed that rats taking the medication were at a higher risk of developing bladder tumors. Recent results from a decade-long study analyzing over 200,000 patients suggest that there may be, in fact, an exponentially higher risk of the condition the longer the patient takes the drug.
In September 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the manufacturer had provided results from a five-year study suggesting that there may be a link to bladder cancer after one year. Additionally, researchers noted that two years of use could potentially lead to increased exposure and cancer risks.
Plaintiffs allege that Takeda had evidence of potentially serious complications and neglected to warn the public or the medical community about these risks. Instead of pulling the drug, the company allegedly continued to aggressively promote it while continuing additional tests. During this time, Actos was the highest prescribed type 2 diabetes medication across the globe.
Actos Still Available
Despite a recall of the medication in France in June 2011, the drug is still currently available in the United States. While many have asserted that the FDA should remove the drug from the market, the FDA has not yet conceded.
Additionally, many plaintiffs and the Actos attorneys representing them, including Kentucky Actos lawsuit attorneys, assert that the risks of developing serious conditions such as bladder cancer, liver problems or congestive heart failure greatly outweigh the benefits provided by the drug.
Those who have been injured by Actos or any medication with undisclosed and dangerous side effects may be entitled to bring claims against the manufacturer. Claims may include liability, negligence, breach of warranty and misrepresentation. Kentucky Actos attorneys can assist plaintiffs in filing for damages including:
- Loss of earning capacity and/or earnings
- Medical expenses pertaining to the remedy of injuries
- Mental anguish, physical pain and suffering and physical impairment
Currently, over 1,000 lawsuits have been filed in a federal multidistrict litigation and state mass torts alleging injuries such as bladder cancer, congestive heart failure, increased bone fractures and severe liver complications. A judge has currently set a date in November 2014 for the first bellwether trial.
Need Help? Find a Kentucky Actos Attorney in Your Corner
If you have been injured or diagnosed with bladder cancer or other condition while taking Actos and you want to learn more about your rights, the first step should be to consult with an experienced Kentucky Actos attorney. At Attorney Group for Kentucky, we have studied the current lawsuits and allegations surrounding the drug, and we will work hard to answer all of your questions. After our free consultation, should we feel you have a valid claim, we will connect you with an experienced Kentucky Actos attorney who can see your case through to the end. So contact Attorney Group for Kentucky today for your free consultation.
