Actos Sales Suspended in Germany, France

Due to research which suggests an Actos bladder cancer link, France and Germany have suspended sales of the diabetes medication. The health regulators in these countries decided to halt the use of Actos after receiving results of a French study, which examined patients taking the drug between 2006 and 2009 and revealed an increased risk of bladder cancer among users. While the FDA has not taken as strong of an action in light of this possible bladder cancer risk, legal recourse may still be available to users of the drug who were diagnosed with cancerous tumors of the bladder.

Bladder Cancer FDA Warning

The health regulators in these countries decided to halt the use of Actos after receiving results of a French study that revealed an increased risk of bladder cancer among users.

The FDA continues to monitor an ongoing, ten-year study of Actos, but has refrained from issuing a recall or suspending sales of the drug. In June 2011, however, it released a bladder cancer FDA warning alerting the public to a possible risk of bladder cancer in patients being treated with the drug for a year or longer. The FDA safety announcement advised doctors to counsel their patients to report blood in the urine, pain during urination, urinary urgency, or back or abdominal pain, as these may be signs of bladder cancer. Furthermore, the agency warned doctors against using Actos in patients with active bladder cancer, and to prescribe it with caution to those with a history of the disease.

Lawyers for Bladder Cancer

In its FDA warning, the agency announced that due to the bladder cancer risk, the labels of Actos and other pioglitazone-containing medications will be updated to reflect this possible side effect. However, lawsuits are being filed, alleging that the manufacturer of the drug did not take adequate steps to warn patients and doctors of this risk prior to this label update. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with bladder cancer after taking Actos, ActoPlus Met, ActoPlus Met XR or Duetact, you may have legal recourse to seek compensation for damages for the manufacturer's alleged failure to warn.