Lawsuits Filed Over Suspected Link Between Actos and Bladder Cancer
Are you a diabetic whose been taking Actos for a year or longer? Have you been diagnosed with bladder cancer? If so, you have legal rights and may been entitled to compensation. The pharmaceutical lawyers at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault would like to hear from you. We are currently investigating a class action lawsuit against the makers of Actos (pioglitazone) for a possible link between taking the drug for a year or more and an elevated risk of developing bladder cancer. Call us today for a free consultation at 1-800-256-1050 or submit an online request.
What is the Risk Associated with Actos?
In June 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informed the public that use of the diabetes medication Actos (pioglitazone) for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Information about this risk will now be added to the Warnings and Precautions section of the label for Actos and other pioglitazone-containing medicines. According to a five-year analysis by the FDA, an increased risk of bladder cancer was noted among patients with the longest exposure to pioglitazone, the active ingredient in Actos, and in those exposed to the highest cumulative dose of the drug. Additional studies linking pioglitazone and bladder cancer have been performed in Europe. As a result of the findings, the use of the Actos and Competact (which combines Actos and metformin) has now been suspended in France and Germany.
Additional Information for Actos Patients
Here is some additional information about Actos that was posted on the FDA’s website:
- There may be an increased chance of having bladder cancer when you take pioglitazone.
- You should not take pioglitazone if you are receiving treatment for bladder cancer.
- Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms of bladder cancer: blood or red color in urine; urgent need to urinate or pain while urinating; pain in back or lower abdomen.
- Read the Medication Guide you get along with your pioglitazone medicine. It explains the risks associated with the use of pioglitazone.
- Talk to your healthcare professional if you have questions or concerns about pioglitazone medicines.
- Report side effects from the use of pioglitazone medicines to the FDA MedWatch program.
Facts about Actos (pioglitazone)
- Sold as a single-ingredient product under the brand-name Actos. Also sold in combination with metformin (Actoplus Met, Actoplus Met XR) and glimepiride (Duetact).
- Used along with diet and exercise to improve control of blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- From January 2010 through October 2010, approximately 2.3 million patients filled a prescription for a pioglitazone-containing product from outpatient retail pharmacies.
Do not stop taking Actos without talking to your doctor first. If you have questions or concerns about your risk factor of developing bladder cancer while taking Actos, speak to your healthcare professional.
Injuries and Damages Linked Bladder Cancer
- Surgery
- Surgical side effects and treatment side effects
- Pain
- Emotional distress
- Scarring
- Recurrent cancer
- Death
In the United States, there will be 69,000 new diagnoses of bladder cancer next year. Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men, eighth most common in women. There are three different types of bladder cancer. Transition cell carcinoma is the most common type, accounting for 90 percent of cases. The other two, Squamos cell carcinoma and Adeon carcinoma, are more rare.
Symptoms Associated with Bladder Cancer
- Painful or difficult urination
- Blood in urine
- Abdominal pain
There are several ways to diagnose bladder cancer, including bladder biopsy, abdominal CT scan, bladder scope, contrast dye X-ray and hematuria. Some of the procedures to diagnose bladder cancer, including bladder biopsy, pose a risk of puncturing the victim’s bladder.
Treatment of Bladder Cancer
- Surgical removal of polyps
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Removal of bladder
Serious side effects of bladder cancer include having a permanent replacement bladder, permanent external urine removal device, frequent blood analysis and frequent bladder exams.
Legal Recourse for Actos Victims
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with bladder cancer after taking Actos for year or more, you may be able to join a class action lawsuit to seek compensation for your injuries. Contact our lawyers today for a free consultation at 1-800-256-1050 or submit an online request. We’d welcome the opportunity to investigate on your behalf.
Neblett, Beard & Arsenault serves the legal needs of Louisiana, including:
- Alexandria 318.561.2500
- Baton Rouge 225.343.3475
- Lafayette 337.289.9800
- Lake Charles 337.855.4400
- Monroe 318.323.4455
- Shreveport 318.635.5800
- Injuries
- Accidents
- Offshore / Maritime
- Dangerous Drugs & Products
- Food Poisoning
- Nursing Home Neglect
Personal injury is a legal term that describes a serious injury suffered by one person that is caused by the negligence or wrongful actions of another. Negligence or wrongful conduct can happen in the form of a car accident, medical malpractice, maritime accidents, or dangerous products.
Whether you were hurt in a car wreck, on an oil rig or suffered harm from a prescription drug, your first priority is medical treatment – but you may be confused about your next steps. If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt, an experienced personal injury attorney can be a vital resource for providing knowledgeable, no-nonsense advice about your legal options. The personal injury attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have been helping injury victims for more than two decades – and we’re ready to work for you. Contact us today at 1-800-256-1050 or submit an online request.
Learn More
Vehicle accidents are among the most common causes of personal injury in Louisiana. In 2008, there were thousands of car accidents, including 827 fatal traffic collisions – causing the death of 920 people. Considering that most of us must use a vehicle to travel to our jobs, our schools, stores and home, we are all at risk for becoming involved in a vehicle accident at some point in our lives.
The vehicle accident attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have devoted the past 25 years to representing injury victims in Alexandria, Baton Rouge and across the state of Louisiana. We know that even the slightest mistake can quickly turn into a tragic accident – and if you’ve been hurt because of someone else’s negligence on the roads, you have the right to file for financial compensation. Contact us at 1-800-256-1050 or submit an online request for a free evaluation of your claim.
Learn More
Maritime law is the area of our legal system that covers incidents that occur on the water. Maritime law encompasses individuals who are injured on a boat as a member of the crew or a passenger. It also covers longshoremen, offshore oil field workers and many other individuals injured on a boat, rig or dock.
The Maritime Law attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have been providing knowledge and experience to law firms across the country in the area of maritime law for more than a quarter of a century. If you or a loved one has been hurt while working in a maritime profession, contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 today or submit an online request.
Learn More
Dangerous drugs and dangerous medical products can often do more harm than the disease or condition they are treating. Despite FDA regulations, many products slip by with unknown and harmful side effects that could be caused by a flaw in design or production. Sometimes these side effects are known by the company, but the product is pushed through in order to avoid delays and make profit.
If you have been hurt by a prescription drug or other pharmaceutical product, the best thing that you can do for yourself and other patients is to come forward. The pharmaceutical litigation lawyers at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault of Louisiana know how to deal with the big drug companies and we work hard to help ensure that the injured receive justice. Contact us today at 1-800-256-1050 or submit an online request. We handle pharmaceutical litigation claims across the state of Louisiana including Alexandria and Baton Rouge.
Learn More
Foodborne illnesses are highly preventable, yet they are very common in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 325,000 people are hospitalized due to food poisoning and more than 5,000 die. Poor preparation and improper handling of food can expose thousands of people to dangerous diseases such as botulism, campylobacterioses, e.coli, listeria and salmonella.
If you or someone you love has become seriously ill due to contaminated food, contact the Louisiana food poisoning attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault today. We have represented thousands of personal injury victims including victims of food poisoning. Call 1-800-256-1050 today or submit an online request. We represent victims across the state of Louisiana including Alexandria and Baton Rouge.
Learn More
It is a difficult and emotional decision to place a mother, father or grandparent in a nursing home. When you do, you expect that your loved ones will experience the highest level of care possible. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. No matter how carefully you choose and investigate a nursing home facility, nursing home neglect, abuse and mistreatment do occur.
The nursing home negligence attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have spent the past 25 years representing injury victims across the state. Our lawyers have represented thousands of people suffering from nursing home negligence, and we understand the serious complications that can result. If your loved one has experienced nursing home negligence, contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 today or submit an online request. We handle nursing home neglect cases from Alexandria, Baton Rouge and across Louisiana.
Learn More
