Actos Lawsuit 2011
Most adults who are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes use a variety of methods for keeping their blood sugar under control, including exercise, nutrition and medication. But people who take Actos, one of the most widely prescribed diabetes medications, are beginning to wonder if the medication may come at too high a cost. If you were diagnosed with cancer after using this drug, please contact us for the latest Actos lawsuit 2011 news and litigation updates.
A recent study, conducted by the manufacturer of Actos, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, looked at the connection between the use of this medication and an increased risk of Actos bladder cancer side effects.
About Actos and Diabetes
Diabetes affects 8.3 million children and adults in the United States. An overwhelming majority (90-95%) has Type 2 diabetes, which typically affects adults. In order to work properly, the human body needs energy, which comes from the food that is eaten. This food is broken down into sugar or glucose, and then is transported to the cells. Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone that is essential in helping the glucose reach the cells.
When the pancreas, which produces insulin, does not manufacture enough, or when the cells become resistant to insulin, glucose cannot enter the cells. As a result, the glucose remains in the bloodstream causing complications throughout the body. Additionally, without glucose in the cells, the body does not produce the energy needed.
Actos is one of the leading prescriptions for helping balance insulin use in the body; addressing both the amount of glucose produced and the resistance that cells may have to insulin. However, recent studies suggest that while Actos may work effectively on blood sugar, it can cause even greater problems including Actos bladder cancer problems.
Recent Actos Side Effects Cancer Studies
As part of a 10-year study, researchers looked at patients who used Actos from 1997-2008. Some took Actos for just a few weeks, but other used Actos for up to 8.5 years. Although the study did not show a specific increased risk of bladder cancer for everyone who used it, it did show that the risk of developing bladder cancer increased with the length of time a patient used Actos and the increased dosage they were prescribed.
A French study followed with more concerning conclusions. The French National Insurance Plan study reviewed records of 1.5 million diabetic patients over three years and saw a significant increased risk of bladder cancer in those who used pioglitazone, the active ingredient in Actos, than in those who used other diabetic medications.
After these findings, France suspended use of Actos for diabetic patients and Germany soon followed suit.
If you have taken Actos and have also been diagnosed with bladder cancer, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the damage this medication has caused. Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your legal options and the most recent Actos lawsuit 2011 news. We are currently representing patients throughout the United States. There is a limited time to file an Actos bladder cancer lawsuit. Please contact us at your earliest convenience.