Between 18 and 20 million Americans are affected by Type-2 diabetes. For these people, reducing their blood glucose levels is vital to keep them from being vulnerable to more severe health complications like blindness, kidney failure and cardiovascular disease. Actos®, generically referred to as pioglitazone, was given to patients to control their Type-2 diabetes. The drug was intended to be a solution that allowed people to function normally, but the side effects restricted the effectiveness of the drug.
What Are The Risks?
The dangers surrounding Actos caused the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a statement requiring that the makers of the drug (Takeda Pharmaceutical Company and Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals) include a black box warning on every package. This type of warning is the highest level of caution the FDA makes before doing a full recall.
The results show that although there was no increased risk of bladder cancer among Actos users overall, there was an increased risk of bladder cancer among those who had used the drug the longest (more than one year). There was also a greater risk of bladder cancer among Actos users who had been exposed to the highest cumulative dose of the drug.
Side Effects of Actos
Serious side effects may include:
- stomach pain
- blood in your urine
- painful urination
- feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion
- swelling or rapid weight gain
- chest pain, general ill feeling
- nausea, upper stomach pain
- itching
- loss of appetite
- dark urine
- clay-colored stools
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- blurred vision
- increased thirst or hunger
- urinating more than usual
- pale skin
- easy bruising or bleeding
- weakness
Less serious Actos side effects may include:
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, sore throat
- headache
- gradual weight gain
- muscle pain
- back pain
- tooth problems
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.
The Effects of Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is a painful and uncomfortable disease. Research has found that long term irritation produces tumors that begin along the lining of the bladder. As the tumors grow, they multiply and invade the three layers of the bladder – disabling the bladder’s ability to properly function. Patients with bladder cancer may experience a variety of symptoms: blood might be visible in the urine, giving it a dark or bright red tint or it might be detectable with a microscope. Frequent and/or painful urination, lower back pain, and stomach pain, particularly in the lower stomach are the common signs of bladder cancer. A urinary tract infection can also be a symptom of bladder cancer.
Treatments for Bladder Cancer
With surgery, the tumor can be removed completely if diagnosed early. Chemotherapy and radiation are also effective treatments for bladder cancer. Invasive bladder cancer, the cancer that invades the bladder wall, is usually treated with radiation and chemotherapy. In some cases, the entire bladder may need to be removed, which might necessitate surgery to create a new method for you to expel urine. If you experience any of the above symptoms and have taken Actos, seek medical advice immediately.
What Can You Do?
If you have taken Actos and are now suffering from Actos side effects, including bladder cancer, you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at Parker McDonald Law will hold the above pharmaceutical companies accountable for their negligent actions in supplying a faulty product to the marketplace. From January 2010 through October 2010, approximately 2.3 million patients filled a prescription for a pioglitazone-containing product from outpatient retail pharmacies. If you are one of those 2.3 million people that have or are currently taking Actos, you could be at risk. Contact Parker McDonald, P.C. today to schedule a free initial consultation.
