Actos Should Only Be Used as a Last Resort, Experts Say

Medical advisors with Consumer Reports are recommending that people with type 2 diabetes take Takeda's Actos (pioglitazone) only as a last resort. 

On June 15, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that patients who took the medication for longer than a year can face a heightened risk for bladder cance.The prescription drug has also been linked to heart failure and bone fractures. 

Before the consumer magazine issued its recomendation, the FDA suggested that patients

• Not take Actos if they are receiving treatment for bladder cancer.
• Let a doctor know if they have any these bladder cancer symptoms such as blood in their urine, pain while urinating and lower abdominal pain.
• Report adverse side effects from the use of Actos to the FDA MedWatch program.

 

To fully assess the risk of bladder cancer associated with Actos, Takeda is conducting a 10-year, study.

Contact Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton if you or a loved one suffers injuries from Actos. The firm holds drug manufacturers accountable for dangerous drugs’ side effects and handles such cases internally to provide its clients with the advantages and convenience of being represented by a local firm.

LC