What is Actos?
Marketed as Actos, diabetes drugs known as Pioglitazone, were developed in the 1990's as a treatment for insulin resistance. Prescribed as a method of improving blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, Actos helps the body use insulin and prevents the liver from creating excessive and unnecessary levels of sugar.
The drug is sometimes added to other medicinal regimens, such as metformin, sulfonylurea and insulin and can sometimes result in very low blood sugar levels when combined with other treatments. In addition to other side effects, Actos sometimes increases the existence of fluid retention, leading to heart failure or aggravating current heart complications further.
The History of Diabetes Drugs
As early as 1966, some health care professionals have warned against the negative side effects accompanying the use of the Type 2 diabetes drugs. Although such drugs have been studied and researched over long periods of time, they still maintain their place within the drug industry as a continued method of diabetes treatment despite dangers associated.
Dangers of Defective Drugs: Actos
Although the FDA has been studying and analyzing Actos along with Takeda, the drug's manufacturer, some researchers have discovered a link between Pioglitazone and increased instances of bladder cancer among consumers taking the drug. According to the FDA, an increased risk of bladder cancer was observed among patients with the longest exposure to pioglitazone, as well as among those exposed to the greatest doses of Actos.
Avandia and Actos are both members of a drug classification called, Thizolidinediones, which aid the body's resistance to insulin and affecting cholesterol levels in patients using the drugs.
Compared to the dangers of Avandia, to which it has often been used as an alternative to, Actos is being tied to complications like:
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Increased risk of bladder cancer
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Rhabdomyolysis, which is the breakdown of muscle fibers in the blood stream,
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Liver damage
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Bone fractures similar to those tied to Avandia use.
FDA Alerts Regarding Actos
Pioglitazone, marketed as Actos, Actosplus Met and Duetact, have been the subject of, even, recent alerts by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), especially regarding their role in heart failure. In addition to requiring additional labeling for the drugs due to their risk of exacerbating current heart failure issues as well as provoking heart problems in those who may not have previously experienced them, the FDA has begun to require more stringent labeling about bladder cancer risks associated with the drug. Though stricter labels are important, consumer previously taking the drugs or those currently under such a prescription regime may still be at risk for the adverse side effects.
Actos Injury Attorneys
If you or a loved one has endured serious injury or death as a result of Actos use, call our product liability attorneys in Austin, San Antonio, Killeen and statewide Texas today. Time constraints and limitations could interfere with your legal rights if you wait, no matter how strong you case is. Our product liability lawyers in Texas are now taking cases involving bladder cancer linked to the use of Actos. Call our experienced attorneys at 888-335-7492, contact us online or visit one of the 11 locations for our law firm in Texas for a free consultation today. We Care. We Can Help.
