When you first experienced bladder cancer symptoms, was Actos in your bloodstream?

The Journal of the American Medical Association reported last week on the international reaction to two recently released studies, both of which found a relationship between Actos usage and an increased risk of bladder cancer. Symptoms shown by some Actos users point to a relationship between long-term (over one year) Actos usage and an increased risk of developing bladder cancer.

France and Germany have both suspended the sale of Actos in their countries as they wait for the European Medicines Agency to weigh in on the issue. In the United States, the FDA has not yet withdrawn Actos, or even suspended sales, but the FDA did issue the following warnings to healthcare professionals on June 15:

• Do not prescribe pioglitazone (Actos) in patients with active bladder cancer.
• Use pioglitazone with caution in patients with a prior history of bladder cancer.
• Counsel patients to report any signs or symptoms of blood in the urine, urinary urgency, pain on urination, or back or abdominal pain, as these may be due to bladder cancer.
• Encourage patients to read the Medication Guide they get with their Actos.
• Report adverse events involving pioglitazone medicines to the FDA MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch. (2)

The most important advice for diabetics reading the FDA warning is to be alert for bladder cancer symptoms. Actos usage—that is, Actos usage for over one year—has been associated with an increased risk for bladder cancer.

If you developed bladder cancer for the first time, or experienced a recurrence of bladder cancer, while taking Actos, you may want to pursue your legal options. Call Weitz & Luxenberg at 1-800-476-6070, or fill out a form to receive a free legal consultation. We can help you seek compensation for the losses you have suffered as a result of Actos usage.

Did you experience the following bladder cancer symptoms while taking Actos?

• Blood in the urine
• Urinary urgency
• Painful urination
• Back pain
• Abdominal pain

If you have experienced bladder cancer symptoms while taking Actos, the FDA suggests that you see you doctor immediately. If you have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, pursuing compensation from the makers of Actos can help you cover the costs of your bladder cancer treatments, and any lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses that resulted from your cancer. We can help you file an Actos lawsuit.

It began with bladder cancer symptoms. An Actos lawsuit can help you decide how the story ends.

Just because bladder cancer symptoms and Actos usage were the start of your upsetting story of involvement with the popular diabetes drug, it doesn’t mean that your story has to have an unhappy end. You can seek effective bladder cancer treatment, and you can recover your financial losses by seeking legal counsel.

For twenty-five years, Weitz & Luxenberg has helped people write their own endings for stories that began with medical malpractice, negligence, defective drugs, and other disasters. You can decide how your story ends.

Contact us for a free legal consultation at 1-800-476-6070, or by filling out a form on the site. No cost, no travel, no obligations. Just information.

Acknowledgments:

1. The Journal of the American Medical Association, July 13, 2011—Vol 306, No. 2.
2. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/DrugSafetyPodcasts/ucm259489.htm

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see also:

Bladder Cancer Symptoms Experiencing bladder cancer symptoms? Actos usage may be the cause.
If you take Actos, FDA warns there is an increased risk of bladder cancer symptoms. Are you experiencing symptoms of bladder cancer after prolonged Actos use?

Actos Bladder Cancer Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuit and Litigation | Free Case Review
Actos Bladder Cancer - Weitz & Luxenberg is currently investigating the link between Actos and bladder cancer. Visit Weitz & Luxenberg to tell us your story