“The risk of bladder cancer increased with increasing dose and duration of pioglitazone use. Compared to never being exposed to pioglitazone, a duration of pioglitazone therapy longer than 12 months was associated with a 40% increase in risk…” From 6/15/11 FDA Drug Safety Communication.
Important News Alert
On June 10, 2011, the popular Type 2 diabetes drug Actos (pioglitazone) was pulled from the market in France and Germany after the drug was linked to bladder cancer. The French Medicines Agency pulled Actos as well as Competact – a drug that combines Actos and Metformin, another diabetes drug – after a government-funded study found the drugs increased bladder cancer risk. The agency instructed French doctors to cease prescribing the drugs, but said people currently using them should consult their doctors. German health officials immediately followed suit based on the French report.
On June 15, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informed the public that use of Actos for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. The FDA’s “Drug Safety Communication” was based on their review of an interim report of a 10-year study of a bladder cancer-Actos connection. The five-year results showed that although there was no overall increased risk of bladder cancer with pioglitazone use, an increased risk of bladder cancer was noted among patients with the longest exposure to pioglitazone, and in those exposed to the highest cumulative dose of pioglitazone. “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is informing 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,” the FDA reported in the safety announcement. The finding has also prompted the FDA to add a warning to the medication label.
The defective drug and medical device department of Keefe Law Firm is currently investigating claims from patients who have taken Actos or other diabetes drugs containing pioglitazone (see below) and who have subsequently been diagnosed with bladder cancer. All consultations are free of charge. If you or a loved one are suffering from bladder cancer and have taken Actos, Actoplus met, Actoplus met XR, or duetact, you may be entitled to compensation. Please fill out the form on the right or call our office today.
Brand names of other drugs containing pioglitazone:
- Actoplus Met 15/1000 (containing Metformin and pioglitazone)
- Actoplus Met 15/500 (containing Metformin and pioglitazone)
- Actoplus Met 15/850 (containing Metformin and pioglitazone)
- Actoplus Met 30/1000 (containing Metformin and pioglitazone)
- Duetact 30/2 (containing glimepiride and pioglitazone)
- Duetact 30/4 (containing glimepiride and pioglitazone)