Actos Lawsuits
Actos (pioglitazone), manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels for people with Type 2 diabetes. It is not prescribed for patients with Type 1 diabetes.
The long-term use of Actos is linked to a number of serious health complications. One of the most alarming and deadly side effects is a significantly higher risk of bladder cancer. One study found that patients taking high doses of Actos for at least one year were 40% more likely to develop bladder cancer over time. The drug has already been pulled from the market in Germany, France and India.
In 2011, the FDA issued a warning to patients using Actos and later updated the Warning and Precautions section of the label to include additional risk information (they required a bladder cancer warning be placed on the Actos label and insert.) The safety announcement stated that “use of the diabetes medication Actos (pioglitazone) for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.” They recommend that doctors not prescribe Actos to patients who currently have bladder cancer or have had it in the past.
Takeda Pharmaceutical has agreed to pay $2.4 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits from patients and their family members who said that taking Actos led to bladder cancer. Plaintiffs state that Takeda concealed the Actos bladder cancer risk from them and they are actively pursuing justice for being wronged. Takeda said the settlement would resolve most of the product-liability lawsuits related to the drug and the company would take a $2.7 billion charge against earnings to cover the settlement and costs to defend the remaining cases.
Our experienced lawyers are available to help you from several locations across New York State, with offices to serve you in: Albany, NY, Schenectady, NY, Plattsburgh, NY, Saratoga, NY, Buffalo, NY, New York City, NY, White Plains, NY, Rochester, NY – as well as Manchester, VT and Burlington, VT. Call us any time, day or night if you have any lasting medical conditions as a result of using Actos.
We Can Help!
If you or a loved one has taken Actos and been diagnosed with bladder cancer, you need to act now. Just because Actos hasn’t been recalled doesn’t mean you don’t have legal options. Call us to speak with an Actos lawyer today for a free consultation. Learn your rights and how you may be entitled to compensation to cover medical expenses as well as pain and suffering. Don’t delay. Let the Heavy Hitters® law firm of Harding Mazzotti, LLP help with your Actos lawsuit. Call us toll free at 1800LAW1010 (1.800.529.1010).