What You Need to Know About Actos Risks
It is estimated that drug manufacturer Takeda Pharmaceuticals will face 10,000 lawsuits filed on behalf of patients who took the company’s type 2 diabetes medication Actos. According to court documents, there are already several hundred cases pending in a multidistrict litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. If you or someone you love took Actos and you developed bladder cancer or you experienced other complications that you feel were caused by the drug, contact Attorney Group for Oklahoma today for more information about pursuing your own claim for compensation.
Actos Approved for Type 2 Diabetes
In 1999, Actos received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly, the product was intended to help type 2 diabetes patients’ bodies become more sensitive to the insulin as well as help the pancreas increase insulin production. Many of those that have taken Actos have reportedly developed bladder cancer as evident by the following symptoms:
- Painful urination
- Back pain
- Increased urinary tract infections
- Frequent urination
As a result of the potentially severe Actos risks, the FDA analyzed a 10-year study in which researchers linked the product to cancer of the bladder. The FDA then released a public safety announcement in June 2011 to inform both consumers and the medical community of these possible side effects. Additionally, the FDA reported that Actos’ warning label should be updated with the new information so that patients considering the product could be adequately informed before making a decision.
Plaintiffs File Lawsuits
However, while the updated label is a step in the right direction, it might have come too late for many Actos patients who allegedly suffered from bladder cancer while taking the product. An early bellwether trial in June 2014 was resolved in favor of the plaintiff, and it was recently found that Takeda destroyed evidence pertaining to Actos risks and injuries. Plaintiffs similarly allege that the company failed to adequately test its product before placing it on the market and for neglecting to inform consumers about the Actos risks that the drug maker did, in fact, find.
Do You Have a Case in Oklahoma? Contact Us Today to Find Out
If you have type 2 diabetes and you took the popular medication Actos to help you to control your condition, you may have legal recourse if you began to suffer from bladder cancer or experienced other complications. Attorney Group for Oklahoma can provide you with a free case evaluation and help you determine if you have a claim in Oklahoma. We can also connect you with one of our affiliated Actos attorneys who can file your lawsuit on your behalf and help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.
