Another Actos Lawsuit Filed

Los Angeles, CAAmid warnings about Actos side effects and a possible link between Actos and bladder cancer comes a new Actos lawsuit, alleging the maker of the diabetes drug did not adequately warn about the potential risks. In recent months, allegations have been made that Takeda Pharmaceuticals did not properly report serious side effects associated with Actos, while Health Canada has issued a warning about the drug.

The most recent lawsuit was filed in April 30 by a patient who alleges he developed bladder cancer after using Actos to treat his type II diabetes, according to reports. The lawsuit joins a growing list of lawsuits that allege Takeda Pharmaceuticals, maker of Actos, did not adequately warn patients or physicians about the risks associated with the diabetes drug. Those risks reportedly include an increased risk of bladder cancer. Patients say if they had known about the risks they would not have used Actos.

According to Bloomberg (3/13/12), Takeda could face up to 10,000 lawsuits concerning the link between Actos and bladder cancer. Federal lawsuits have been consolidated in Louisiana district court, with 19 plaintiffs' lawyers managing the lawsuits.

Earlier this year, a Takeda whistleblower alleged the company failed to classify non-hospitalized or non-fatal congestive heart failure cases as serious, Bloomberg (3/6/12) reported. As a result, according to whistleblower Helen Ge, Takeda was able to "falsely enhance Actos's safety profile and to increase sales."

Although concerns were initially raised about the link between the use of Actos and the development of heart problems, more of the focus lately has been on the potential link between the use of Actos and the development of bladder cancer. Several agencies, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have issued warnings about the possible risk of bladder cancer associated with Actos.

Although Actos remains on the market in the US, Canada and parts of Europe, it has been pulled from the market in France, after a study there showed a slightly increased risk of bladder cancer associated with the medication.

According to the FDA, patients at the highest risk of bladder cancer associated with Actos were those who took the drug for the longest time at the highest cumulative dose.