Although there are currently several hundred Actos lawsuits pending against drug maker Takeda Pharmaceuticals in a multidistrict litigation in federal court in the Western District of Louisiana, attorneys handling Actos claims estimate that the company could be named as a defendant in more than 10,000 lawsuits. Contact Attorney Group for Tennessee today if you or someone you love suffered from adverse side effects or complications such as bladder cancer while taking Actos. You may have the option to seek compensation for your injuries.
What You Should Know About Actos Risks
Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly first introduced Actos in 1999 as a drug that could increase insulin production and help those with type 2 diabetes to better control the disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the product for this purpose, and the drug soared in popularity due to the increasing number of diabetes patients in the U.S.
However, patients reportedly began to experience complications and side effects such as eye injuries, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and bladder cancer. Unfortunately for many, the bladder cancer diagnosis came too late, as the symptoms do not always immediately present themselves. If you notice back pain, frequent or painful urination, or if you have more urinary tract infections than what you consider to be normal, please seek medical attention to determine whether you may have developed a serious condition such as bladder cancer.
With the increasing number of adverse event reports involving bladder cancer and Actos as well as several studies that allegedly linked the two, the FDA decided in 2011 to require an update of Actos’ warning label to reflect these Actos risks. Additionally, the FDA reported that it would be launching its own investigation into Actos risks, and that physicians should prescribe Actos with caution if their patients previously had cancer of the bladder or had a family history of the disease.
Takeda, Eli Lilly Named as Defendants
Along with the hundreds of lawsuits filed by plaintiffs for allegedly suffering from complications and Actos risks, Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly have been named by insurance provider Blue Cross Blue Shield as a defendant in a June 2014 lawsuit. According to the insurance company, the manufacturers knew of the Actos risks yet failed to warn consumers, which allegedly resulted in complications and medical expenses for which Blue Cross Blue Shield was required to pay.
An early Actos bellwether trial was resolved in April 2014 for $9 billion after a federal jury in Louisiana awarded the plaintiff compensatory and punitive damages. The manufacturers were found to have known about Actos risks, including cancer of the bladder, yet failed to issue adequate warnings to inform the medical and public communities of these potential complications.
Contact Attorney Group for Tennessee for More Information
If you or a loved one has developed bladder cancer while using Actos to treat your type 2 diabetes, you may have legal options. Contact Attorney Group for Tennessee today to schedule a comprehensive case evaluation. Our consultations are free of charge, and we can help you determine if you have a claim. We can also put you in contact with one of our affiliated Actos attorneys in Tennessee who can file your Actos lawsuit on your behalf and help seek damages to which you may be entitled.
