Death From Bladder Cancer After Taking Actos

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We represent a young man who died from bladder cancer after taking Actos.

Our client was prescribed Actos for to help control his type 2 diabetes. He was otherwise an active and healthy individual. There was no history of cancer in his family. Prior to taking Actos, our client’s only medications were metformin and the occasional ibuprofen.

His physician prescribed Actos at 15 mg a day, and then increased it to 30 mg a day after several weeks.

Actos Linked to Several Dangerous Side Effects

Since its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999, the type 2 diabetes drug Actos (pioglitazone) has been one of Takeda Pharmaceuticals’ best-selling drugs. Actos decreases insulin resistance and decreases the glucose made in the liver. With diet and exercise, it helps control blood sugar.

But medical studies have linked Actos to a number of serious side effects, including congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and bladder cancer.

The British Medical Journal (BMJ) published an important study on pioglitazone in May 2012. This study revealed that people who take Actos for an extended period have an 83 percent higher risk of developing bladder cancer. Shockingly, prior to 2012, several studies—including Takeda’s own trials before the drug was marketed—already linked the drug to bladder problems. In animal studies, male rats suffered from bladder tumors after receiving the drug.

Our Client’s Symptoms and Diagnosis of Bladder Cancer

After several months on Actos, our client began to have back pain and pain when urinating. Within several days he began to notice blood in his urine and went to see his doctor. After running several tests, the doctor diagnosed bladder cancer. Our client was scheduled for surgery and later started on chemotherapy and radiation. He fought for several months but ultimately lost his battle and died.

Our Law Firm Sued the Manufacturer of Actos

We have sued the manufacturer of Actos, alleging that it was negligent for manufacturing and marketing such a dangerous drug, and we fought hard to get a full recovery for our client’s estate.