Seek Compensation for Actos Bladder Cancer

The diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can be unnerving. The thought of needing daily insulin shots or a lifetime of medication can be discouraging. As difficult as this diagnosis can be, it is nothing compared to hearing a diagnosis of bladder cancer. Actos is a drug developed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and approved by the FDA in 1999. It originally showed great promise in the treatment of diabetes, and in fact, it continues to be a widely-used drug for regulating insulin. As with all drugs, it does have risks. The risk of having a heart attack rises in people using this medication, but Actos bladder cancer is becoming an even more widespread problem.

There are many people in the medical and legal communities who believe that Takeda Pharmaceuticals did not conduct enough research before the production and sale of the drug commenced. Those who have used or are continuing to use the drug do so in full faith that it will help them lead healthier lives.

However, according to actosbladdercancer.com, "Studies conducted on 193,099 patients over a period of five years demonstrated that the intake of the drug for more than twelve months increased the risk of developing bladder cancer by as much as 40%." Takeda Pharmaceuticals actually found in their own ten-year study that the risk of Actos bladder cancer significantly increases after the first year of using the drug. Interestingly, the sale of the drug in European countries was halted once Actos bladder cancer cases began to rise, but in the United States, the FDA has not gone farther than asking Takeda for stronger patient warnings. Ironically, in spite of the clear risk of taking the drug, it is still one of the most prescribed drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

The Joslin Diabetes Center, which is affiliated with Harvard medical school, even has a page on its website discussing the need for diabetes sufferers to take Actos. It is important to understand the warning signs of Actos bladder cancer, and many of those signs are connected directly to the body's output of urine. Patients taking the drug who have pain during urination or who need to urinate often should take note. In addition, a lack of urine output, actual blood in the urine, pink or orange urine, or extreme pain in the back are red flags that should not be ignored. These warning signs are in addition to the significant side effects of stomach pain, rapid weight gain and retention of fluid, and breathing difficulties.

Patients suffering from Actos bladder cancer are not without supporters in the legal community. There have been increasingly large numbers of people receiving financial compensation who have taken Actos and subsequently received a diagnosis of bladder cancer. However, sufferers must work through an attorney. Filing a lawsuit is the first step to qualifying for compensation, but it is best to find a lawyer who specializes in pharmaceutical cases. These attorneys are already well-versed in the latest information regarding the drug, as well as in the legal rulings that have already been handed down in favor of patients.

There are also several class action lawsuits currently in progress, but once again, knowledge of these cases can best be accessed by hiring an attorney. It is probable that Actos bladder cancer sufferers have lost wages due to their inability to work, and their reduced income has most likely resulted in a lower standard of living for them and their families. Legal action conducted by an experienced attorney experienced can result in compensation for lost wages and also for pain and suffering. The diagnosis of cancer can be emotionally, physically, and financially devastating. Diabetes sufferers would be well-advised to take a look at the medications they are taking. If they are currently being prescribed Actos, they must be proactive in demanding another drug. If however, the diagnosis has already been made, patients and their families should contact an attorney without delay.