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877-336-0776
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Actos Bladder Cancer Attorneys
Mobile, Alabama
More than 8 percent of the U.S. population currently suffers from diabetes. In addition to daily ramifications of the disease, many diabetics also have to cope with the consequences of defective drugs prescribed to help control the disease.
A number of recent studies have linked Actos (pioglitazone), a popular drug used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, to an increased risk of bladder cancer and other complications including heart failure and diabetic macular edema. Avandia, a similar drug used to control type 2 diabetes, was also linked to heart failure and other health problems, and will no longer be available through retail pharmacies beginning in November 2011.
Amid evidence demonstrating that Actos patients face a significantly greater chance of developing bladder cancer, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August required Actos manufacturer Takeda to issue a new warning stating that patients who use Actos for longer than 12 months have an increased risk for bladder cancer. If you developed bladder cancer after taking Actos, the Alabama Actos and bladder cancer lawyers at Long & Waite may be able to help you recover financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering due to taking this defective drug.
Increased Risk for Longtime Actos Users
Actos is used to help control blood-sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease. Millions of patients have been prescribed Actos since its approval by the FDA in 1999.
However, the FDA’s latest review of data showed increased risk for bladder cancer associated with longtime use and high dosage. Use of Actos for more than 12 months increases risk 40 percent compared to non-use, according to the FDA’s analysis.
As a result, the FDA required Takeda to include this risk on the drug’s labeling. The FDA also warned doctors not to prescribe the drug to people currently being treated for bladder cancer. Physicians are advised to carefully consider prescribing Actos to people with a family history of bladder cancer.
Bladder Cancer Symptoms
If you have taken Actos and experience the symptoms of bladder cancer, you should consult your physician right away. Symptoms of bladder cancer include:
- Blood in urine
- Painful urination
- Frequent and urgent urination
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
Treatment for bladder cancer may include chemotherapy, surgery or other approaches, based on the stage of development.
If you have developed bladder cancer since taking Actos, please contact the experienced Mobile Actos injury attorneys at Long & Waite for your free consultation.
