Actos, introduced to the public in 1999 as a treatment for patients living with type 2 diabetes, rose quickly ahead of its competitor, Avanda, when the latter was allegedly linked to heart attacks and strokes. Actos’ manufacturer, Takeda, marketed its product as a safer alternative; however, before research regarding Avandia surfaced, Avandia was the most-prescribed drug in the world for those living with type 2 diabetes.
Sales for Actos peaked between $4.5 and $5 billion in 2010 and 2011. While many patients have taken the drug with success, many have also suffered from serious side effects. As a result, patients are anticipated to seek the assistance of Mississippi Actos attorneys to file lawsuits in both state and federal courts. Plaintiffs allege that the medication caused heart failure and bladder cancer. Legal experts estimate that over 10,000 lawsuit claims will be filed against the manufacturer, as the drug has not yet been recalled.
Parties in Actos Lawsuits
The majority lawsuits involve the manufacturer of Actos, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the largest drug maker in Japan. In 2011, sales from Actos alone accounted for over one quarter of Takeda’s revenue. However, American drug maker Eli Lilly has also been named as a defendant in lawsuit cases; Eli Lilly collaborated with Takeda to market the drug in the U.S. between 1999 and 2006.
Mississippi Actos Attorneys’ Allegations
Lawsuits filed by plaintiffs and their Mississippi Actos attorneys allege that Takeda and Eli Lilly failed to adequately warn the medical community and consumers of the potential dangers while taking Actos. Some plaintiffs claim that the defendants did not conduct adequate clinical trials to evaluate the safety of the drug; others claim that the defendants knew about the risks and serious complications but failed to publicize them, putting their desire for profit ahead of consumer safety.
However, due to the manufacturers’ alleged neglect, patients suffered from life-threatening side effects while taking the medication. Hundreds of plaintiffs, including those being assisted by Mississippi Actos attorneys , are seeking compensation for the suffering, pain and medical expenses associated with their alleged injuries.
The first of over 3,000 lawsuits went to trial in February 2013. Court documents and testimony alleged that a few employees of Takeda were aware of the increased risk of bladder cancer. Despite this knowledge, the company allegedly failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs allege that they suffered from symptoms consistent with bladder cancer including:
- Pain when urinating
- Increased or unusual back pain
- Blood in urine
- Increased urge to urinate
Court documents also stated that the manufacturer issued a survey to physicians in an alleged attempt to discover if a bladder cancer warning would affect the physicians’ likelihood of prescribing the medication in question. The results from the survey allegedly suggested that sales of the medication would plummet and greatly harm Takeda’s profits; it is suspected that the manufacturer knowingly postponed releasing warnings after realizing that it would lose money by releasing information to the public.
Side Effects
Mississippi Actos attorneys note that the primary basis for lawsuits pertains to bladder cancer. Actos was banned from France and Germany in 2011 due to research that suggested a strong correlation between the medication and bladder cancer. The study revealed that patients taking the drug had a 40 percent higher risk of developing bladder cancer if they took the medication for over one year. Reacting to these results, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning for the increased risk of bladder cancer.
Lawsuits are also based on other injuries including:
- Kidney damage
- Liver damage
- Congestive heart failure
- Heart attacks
- Blindness
- Bone fractures
However, many patients have successfully taken the medication and only experienced common side effects such as:
- Diarrhea
- Tooth, limb and muscle pain
- Allergic reactions
- Sinus irritation
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Chills
- Sinus infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Headaches
- Nausea
Physicians assert that some of these side effects may be directly related to overall health, ethnicity, gender, weight and race. However, the FDA has also advised the medical community to closely monitor patients following the initial dose, after a dosage increase or when a patient ceases taking the medication for any changes that could indicate a serious or life-threatening complication.
Contact a Mississippi Actos Attorney to Seek Compensation for Your Injuries
Have you or a loved one taken Actos as a way to better manage your type 2 diabetes condition and you were diagnosed with bladder cancer or suffered from congestive heart failure or other serious complication? Contact Attorney Group for Mississippi to learn more about your legal rights and to get connected with a Mississippi Actos attorney. At Attorney Group for Mississippi, we will review your case at no cost to you to determine if you are eligible to pursue a claim. Should we feel you have a case, we will connect you with an experienced Mississippi Actos attorney who will handle your case. So contact Attorney Group for Mississippi today for your free consultation.
