Michigan Injury Lawyers will assist those who became ill from the popular diabetes medication Actos, as well as family members of individuals who lost their lives from complications associated with the drug. Our attorneys charge no fees for legal services unless you recover compensation, and free case evaluations are available.
Although thousands of patients worldwide take Actos, the drug has been linked to bladder cancer and other serious side effects. If you or a loved one was prescribed Actos and complications developed as a result, Michigan Injury Lawyers is here to help take legal action so you can hold the manufacturer responsible.
Patients taking Actos may have as much as a 40 percent increased risk of bladder, and the diabetes drug has been banned in several countries since 2011, including France and Germany. While the FDA released a Safety Communication in June 2011 regarding the link between Actos and bladder cancer, many patients were not warned of the dangers when they were prescribed the drug. Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Actos, should be held responsible for health problems that these patients have experienced.
Call today for help determining if you have an Actos claim.
Actos and Bladder Cancer
Prior to releasing Actos on the market, Takeda Pharmaceuticals conducted studies in 1999. The initial study revealed that when rats were dosed with the diabetes medication, their risk of bladder cancer increased. While Takeda included some information about potential dangers, the information was buried in a largely-unread patient package insert and Takeda Pharmaceuticals did not properly notify the FDA or other health regulators about the study results.
After an aggressive marketing campaign, Actos became the 10th-most commonly prescribed drug in the United States by 2010, with annual sales of around $4.8 billion. Worldwide, there were an estimated 2.3 million prescriptions for Actos over the course of this year. Unfortunately, many patients began to develop serious side effects including hypoglycemia, bone fractures, ovulation in women after menopause, and liver damage. Studies also began to show an even more serious problem: a significant increase in the risk of developing bladder cancer.
In response to studies showing that the risk of bladder cancer could as much as double, the FDA imposed a mandate in August 2011 requiring that Actos include a warning that the drug shouldn't be used by patients who have bladder cancer, have had it in the past, or are at high risk.
Taking Legal Action for Bladder Cancer Caused by Actos
Takeda Pharmaceuticals, like all drug companies, is expected to ensure that its medication is safe for the public. Unfortunately, because of the failure to adequately warn patients about the risk of bladder cancer, many patients are now experiencing serious health issues that they did not expect would come from taking this diabetes medication.
Patients affected by Actos bladder cancer have a legal right to take action against Takeda Pharmaceuticals. There may be multiple legal arguments to hold the drug company responsible, including a design defect, negligence and a negligent failure to warn the public of Actos risks. Drug manufacturers are also held strictly liable for dangerous products, which means plaintiffs can recover compensation regardless of manufacturer negligence by showing the medication unexpectedly caused harm when used as intended.
An experienced defective drug lawyer at Michigan Injury Lawyers can help those who have experienced Actos bladder cancer. Compensation can include payment of medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering damages or wrongful death damages. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how we can help you.