Falling into the thiazolidinedione family, Actos is a drug designed to help patients better manage their type 2 diabetes conditions. However, the medication has been linked to potentially serious and adverse health complications such as cardiovascular issues and bladder cancer. Tennessee Actos attorneys note that plaintiffs across the country are seeking compensation for their injuries. These lawsuits allege conditions such as liver problems, bone fractures, congestive heart failure and bladder cancer. While Actos has not yet been recalled, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has placed a black-box warning label on the drug to inform consumers of its link to heart failure.
Tennessee Actos attorneys are advising patients to seek legal counsel if they were taking the medication and diagnosed with health complications. Plaintiffs may be entitled to receive compensation for pain and suffering, past and future medical expenses as well as lost income or loss of earning capacity.
Patients Take Actos to Help Type 2 Diabetes Control
Physicians prescribe Actos as a treatment method for type 2 diabetes. Its manufacturer, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, describes the medication as a drug which helps to increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Once cells become more aware of insulin, glucose is allowed to travel through the body more efficiently and help patients to better manage their conditions. However, despite mounting evidence that Actos is linked to bladder cancer and other complications, the manufacturer allegedly continued to aggressively market the drug. Amidst claims that Actos would not cause any side effects, or very rarely cause side effects, thousands of patients flocked to physicians to receive a prescription.
Yet, those currently in the process of filing lawsuits with Tennessee Actos attorneys did, in fact, suffer from side effects, some serious and some more severe. Lawsuits allege that the medication caused symptoms of bladder cancer including, but not limited to:
- Frequent urination
- Blood in the urine
- Feeling the need to urinate
- Difficulty completing urination
- Pain during urination
Those who have been diagnosed with bladder cancer while taking the drug or after ceasing use of the drug may be entitled to receive compensation for their injuries. It is advisable for these individuals to seek legal counsel from an experienced Tennessee Actos attorney to learn more about their rights.
Plaintiffs Allege Serious Complications
Clinical trials concluded that rats administered the medication were more likely to develop bladder tumors than those that were not given the drug. Following this data, a decade-long study that evaluated over 200,000 patients living with type 2 diabetes found that the longer a patient takes Actos, the higher his or her risk of developing bladder cancer will be.
Following a five-year-long study conducted by Takeda, the FDA released a statement in September 2010 concluded patients were at a 40 percent higher risk of developing bladder cancer. Additionally, it was found that 24 months of taking the drug could lead to an even higher risk of cancer.
Tennessee Actos attorneys also note that pending lawsuits allege that the manufacturer had possessed evidence of these risks and neglected to publicize them in fear of losing profit. Instead of removing the drug from the market, the company continued to aggressively market it across the globe, making it the highest prescribed medication for type 2 diabetes at that time.
Still No Actos Recall
While France, Germany and India eventually recalled the medication due to evidence of increased risks of bladder cancer, the drug still remains available in the states. The FDA, although a black-box label warning has been issued and many are requesting that the medication be removed, has not yet mentioned any plan to recall the drug.
Plaintiffs and their Tennessee Actos attorneys claim that, despite the lack of a recall, the risks of cancer, heart complications and liver problems are still greater than the alleged benefits of the drug. Those who have been injured may be entitled to bring a lawsuit against Takeda and allege claims such as misrepresentation, breach of warranty, negligence and liability. Plaintiffs may also be entitled to file for damages including physical impairment, medical expenses and loss of earnings.
Have Questions? Contact a Tennessee Actos Attorney For Answers
Have you or a loved one received a bladder cancer diagnosis or are suffering from another health condition you feel may be directly linked to Actos? Contact Attorney Group for Tennessee today for a free evaluation of your case. We will answer any questions you may have and connect you with a Tennessee Actos attorney if we feel you have a claim. You may be entitled to seek compensation for pain and suffering, lost income, lost ability to earn wages and past and future medical bills. The time to pursue a claim is often limited, so don’t delay.
