Another Study Links Diabetes Drug Actos to Bladder Cancer

By Kimberly Mirando

 

A new study has once again linked diabetes drug Actos to an increased risk of bladder cancer, supporting claims made in thousands of Actos bladder cancer lawsuits filed by patients across the country. The majority of these lawsuits have been consolidated in an Actos MDL side effects lawsuit known as In Re: Actos Products Liability Litigation (MDL 2299) in Louisiana. To date, more than 10,000 individual Actos lawsuits have been filed against Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly & Co. alleging the drugmakers failed to adequately warn the public about the risk of serious Actos side effects such as bladder cancer. 

 

The new study, published July 3, 2012 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal indicated a 22% increased risk of bladder cancer when using Actos. Research for the Actos bladder cancer study was conducted by pooling data from other Actos side effects studies in order to find patterns among vast amounts of data. Researchers analyzed data from 10 different studies looking at the relationship between thiazolidinediones, like Actos, and over 2.6 million patients. Out of the total number of participants, 3,643 were identified as having newly-diagnosed bladder cancer. The study suggests there was a 15% increased risk of bladder cancer seen with thiazolidinediones as a whole, and a 22% increase risk for Actos alone.

 

Actos Repeatedly Linked to Bladder Cancer

 

The Canadian Actos bladder cancer study isn't the first to link the drug to heightened odds for bladder cancer. A May 2012 study in the British Medical Journal found that taking Actos for two years can double a user's risk for developing bladder cancer. 

 

Thousands of Actos lawsuits have been filed in the U.S. by patients alleging they developed bladder cancer and other serious side effects after taking the drug. In June 2011, the FDA reported that using Actos for more than one year has been linked to a 40% increased risk of bladder cancer. That same year, authorities in France and Germany banned sales of Actos. Recent studies have shown that long-term Actos users increase their risk of bladder cancer by up to 83% compared to those who don't take Actos.

 

The Actos bladder cancer studies lend credibility to claims made by thousands of patients in Actos lawsuits throughout the country, and have helped Plaintiffs secure Actos bladder cancer settlements. Many of these lawsuits have been consolidated in an Actos MDL pending in U.S. District Court, Western Division of Louisiana, which is overseen by U.S. District Judge Rebecca Doherty. Judge Doherty recently issued a ruling making it easier for individual Plaintiffs to file an Actos injury lawsuit. The ruling, known as a direct-filing order, allows anyone filing an Actos side effects lawsuit to do so directly to the MDL without first having to file a case in local court and wait for it to be transferred to the federal court by judicial order. This is good news for Actos bladder cancer victims seeking to hold Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly liable for their injuries for failing to warn them about the serious side effects of taking the drug. 

 

What is the Actos Lawsuit MDL?

 

The Actos bladder cancer lawsuit MDL allows thousands of Actos users to file individual lawsuits under the jurisdiction of one judge, but still allows them to retain their own attorney and receive an individual award if the case is won or settled. The award they would receive is typically much larger than any individual award expected in an Actos bladder cancer class action lawsuit. The Actos bladder cancer MDL is similar to an Actos bladder cancer class action lawsuit but different in that one key aspect. In an Actos class action lawsuit, hundreds of thousands of Actos patients are joined together. Once, or if, a class action settlement is reached, the Actos users would typically share the award and the award may be in the thousands of dollars range, rather than tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars in some cases for individual Actos bladder cancer lawsuits.

 

On the other hand, if the Actos bladder cancer MDL settles, Plaintiffs would receive any financial award individually. The Actos bladder cancer MDL lawyers will determine exactly what each Plaintiff will receive depending on the injury suffered. This may mean that those who file Actos wrongful death lawsuits will receive more than those who successfully undergo cancer treatment and recover from bladder cancer. The Actos bladder cancer law firms litigating the MDL will determine this as the case progresses.

 

Actos Bladder Cancer Symptoms

 

Anyone who uses Actos needs to know the symptoms of bladder cancer so it can be caught and hopefully treated without resulting in death. Bladder cancer symptoms include tumors which may cause blood in the urine, painful or frequent urination, or straining during urination. In addition, other common signs of bladder cancer include fatigue, incontinence, weight loss and bone pain or tenderness. If you are experiencing these symptoms you should see a doctor immediately so bladder cancer or tumors can be ruled out or treatment started if necessary. If you are experiencing these symptoms and are diagnosed with bladder cancer, you should speak with an Actos bladder cancer attorney to see if you are a good fit to file an Actos bladder cancer class action lawsuit or an individual Actos bladder tumor lawsuit. 

 

If you would like more information about filing an Actos class action lawsuit or would like to file an Actos bladder cancer lawsuit, file an Actos loss of consortium lawsuit or join the Actos bladder cancer MDL, just go to the Actos Bladder Cancer Class Action Lawsuit Investigation page. You can submit your information, or your loved one's, to Actos attorneys who are actively investigating all claims regarding bladder cancer, tumors and other problems which may be a severe side effect of taking Actos. Actos attorneys are waiting to talk to you now and the consultation is free. These Actos lawyers don't get paid unless you win or settle.

 

Updated July 16th, 2012

All medical device, dangerous drug and medical class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Drug and Medical Device section of Top Class Actions.