Actos, or pioglitazone, is an oral diabetes medication prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes, also known as “non-insulin dependent” or “adult onset” diabetes. Actos is manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals Company and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) on July 16, 1999. While Actos may be used in conjunction with insulin or other medications, Actos should not be taken by patients with Type 1 diabetes or patients who are less than 18 years old.
How Actos Works
Actos is a member of the thiazolidinedione or glitazone class of diabetes drugs, which help to reduce high blood sugar levels increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin. People with Type 2 diabetes have high blood sugar levels because they are unable to produce a sufficient amount of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Actos helps lower blood sugar levels by increasing the sensitivity of fat, muscle and liver cells to insulin, which enables the cells to remove glucose from the blood more effectively. Actos also reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver and preserves the functioning of the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. By reducing the amount of sugar in the bloodstream, and preserving the beta cells in the pancreas, Actos may help people with diabetes avoid several health problems related to diabetes, such as:
- Heart disease
- Blindness
- Kidney failure
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Actos Safety Concerns
Recently, diabetes medications such as Actos, have been linked to several serious side effects, including weight gain and swelling that can lead to heart failure and bladder cancer. In a study published in 2007, the American Diabetes Association warned about cardiovascular risks associated with this class of drugs.
Today, Actos carries a black box warning label, which is the most serious safety caution issued by the FDA, because the drug puts patients at a greater risk for heart failure and may potentially increase the risk of heart attack.
Additionally, Actos has been linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer. In September 2010, the FDA announced that it was investigating the possible link between bladder cancer and Actos after early numbers from a continuous 10 year study of Actos side effects conducted by Takeda Pharmaceuticals suggested that users of the drug may face an increased risk of bladder cancer the longer they take the drug. In May 2011, a new study was published by the FDA, which provided more evidence that suggested that Actos may increase the risk of bladder cancer.
How to File an Actos Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one took Actos and have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, you may be eligible to file an Actos lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries and reimbursement of your expenses. Contact one of our Actos injury attorneys today for a free assessment of your potential Actos lawsuit and find out if you are eligible for compensation. The lawyers at Bernstein Liebhard LLP have extensive litigation experience, and have recovered billions of dollars for their clients. In addition to being staunch advocates for your claim, our Actos injury lawyers also provide personal attention to guide you through the complex litigation process.
