Will Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuits Stop Sales of This Dangerous Drug?

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, the Japanese manufacturer of Actos, is being sued by thousands of patients across the United States who believe that the diabetes drug caused their bladder cancer.

Actos, the brand name for pioglitazone hydrochloride, was developed by Takeda to treat Type-2 diabetes. Actos has been prescribed in the United States since 1999.

In 2007, it was recognized that Actos could increase a patient’s risk of congestive heart failure. The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a warning on Actos labels. The FDA posted similar warnings that the drug could cause edema and fractures. Actos was also linked to kidney and liver failure.

Despite the warnings, sales of Actos soared. In 2020, Takeda made almost five billion dollars from the sale of Actos. The same year, a warning was posted linking Actos to bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer affects almost 70,000 Americans each year. About 14,000 die from the disease. Severe bladder cancer can affect the prostate, rectum, uterus, or vagina. In some cases, it can spread to the bones, lungs, and liver.

In July 2011, two European countries suspended the sale of Actos after a study in France found a strong correlation between Actos use and bladder cancer risk. In August, the FDA posted a black box warning of the link to bladder cancer on Actos Labels. Thousands of Actos injury lawsuits were filed. In 2011, sales of Actos dropped.

It is estimated that more than 10,000 Americans will sue Takeda Pharmaceuticals for Actos bladder cancer claims. If you are suffering from bladder cancer after taking Actos for the treatment of diabetes, you may be eligible for compensation for your injury through an Actos injury lawsuit. To discuss your drug injury case with a Dallas Actos lawsuit attorney, contact Van Wey Law at 800-340-2620.