Actos Injury Lawyer
Actos Injury Lawyer
Were you prescribed the drug Actos for type 2 diabetes and were later diagnosed with bladder cancer? You may be entitled to a substantial settlement.
Call Me Today and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Actos is a drug that is used to help control blood sugar in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Actos (pioglitazone) is manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and sold in the US, and worldwide.
In 2011, France and Germany pulled Actos from their markets. Soon thereafter, the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) warned that people who took Actos for more than one year have a 40% greater chance of developing bladder cancer than type 2 diabetics who were not prescribed Actos.
The British Medical Journal (BMJ) published a study in 2012 that concluded Actos caused bladder cancer for individuals who used the drug for more than 24 months, and for people who received cumulative doses of more than 28,000 mg.
What Is Actos?
Actos is a prescription medication that contains the active ingredient pioglitazone. It belongs to a class of drugs known as thiazolidinediones and is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Actos helps to control blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing the production of glucose in the liver.
The main mechanism of action of Actos involves targeting specific receptors called peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in the body. By activating PPAR-gamma receptors, Actos helps to increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin, which allows for more efficient glucose uptake by cells. This action helps to regulate blood sugar levels and improve glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Actos is usually taken orally, typically once daily, with or without food. The dosage may vary depending on the individual’s specific needs and the instructions provided by their healthcare provider. It is often prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may include diet and exercise adjustments, weight management, and other diabetes medications.
If you are an Actos bladder cancer victim, or know someone who is, you need to call me today and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Who Needs Actos?
Someone may need to take the medication Actos (pioglitazone) if they have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels resulting from the body’s inability to effectively use insulin or produce enough of it. Actos is prescribed to help control blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity in the body, thereby aiding in the management of type 2 diabetes.
Issues with Type 2 diabetes
High blood sugar levels: Type 2 diabetes causes chronically elevated blood sugar levels, which can lead to fatigue, increased thirst, frequent urination. This may also include difficulty concentrating, affecting daily energy levels and cognitive function.
Increased risk of cardiovascular disease: A higher risk of developing heart disease and experiencing related complications such as chest pain, heart attack, or stroke. This leads to potential limitations in physical activities and a need for careful management of exertion.
Neuropathy: Nerve damage, or neuropathy, commonly associated with type 2 diabetes can result in symptoms like tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands and feet. This impacts daily activities such as walking, handling objects, or maintaining balance.
Vision problems: Diabetes can cause eye-related complications, including diabetic retinopathy and cataracts, leading to blurred vision, reduced visual acuity, or even vision loss. These may require visual aids or adjustments to daily tasks involving reading, driving, or recognizing faces.
Kidney disease: Type 2 diabetes can lead to kidney damage and impaired kidney function, resulting in increased urine output, fluid retention, high blood pressure, and fatigue. Dietary restrictions, regular monitoring, and potential medical interventions may be necessary.
Increased susceptibility to infections: Poorly controlled diabetes can weaken the immune system, making individuals more prone to infections. These include urinary tract infections, skin infections, or oral infections, which may require additional medical treatments, medications, or precautions.
Slow wound healing: Diabetes can impair the body’s ability to heal wounds efficiently, increasing the risk of infections. You may need meticulous wound care, longer recovery times, and potential limitations in physical activities to avoid further damage or complications.
Mental health challenges: Managing a chronic condition like type 2 diabetes can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, affecting daily mood, motivation, and overall emotional well-being. Patients may benefit from additional support, therapy, or lifestyle adjustments.
Sleep disturbances: Type 2 diabetes can contribute to sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, which may lead to insufficient or poor-quality sleep. Daytime drowsiness, reduced productivity, and decreased overall quality of life may all be affected.
Increased risk of amputation: In severe cases of type 2 diabetes with complications like peripheral artery disease and neuropathy, the risk of foot ulcers and infections may increase. These may potentially lead to the need for amputation and requiring significant lifestyle adjustments and ongoing support for mobility and self-care.
It’s important to note that Actos is not a cure for diabetes and should be used as directed by a healthcare professional. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, along with appropriate lifestyle modifications, is necessary for effective management of type 2 diabetes.
Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuits
Actos has been associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, particularly in individuals who have taken the medication for an extended period or at higher doses. As a result, many Actos lawsuits have been filed. While the exact mechanism by which Actos may contribute to bladder cancer is not fully understood, studies suggest that long-term use of the drug may lead to changes in the cells lining the bladder. This increases the likelihood of cancer development.
Bladder cancer is a condition characterized by the abnormal growth of cells in the bladder lining. Symptoms of bladder cancer can include blood in the urine, frequent urination, pain during urination, urinary urgency, and pelvic pain. Advanced stages of bladder cancer may present with additional symptoms such as weight loss, bone pain, and fatigue.
Treatment options for bladder cancer depend on the stage and extent of the disease. They can include surgery (such as transurethral resection or radical cystectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. However, these treatments can come with potential complications and side effects.
Common complications associated with bladder cancer treatments include urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections, erectile dysfunction (in males), infertility, bowel dysfunction. It may also lead to potential changes in body image and self-esteem. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may also cause fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and increased susceptibility to infections.
If you have bladder cancer caused by taking Actos, you need to call me. I will file an Actos lawsuit that alleges Actos failed to adequately warn about the potential risks, such as the increased risk of bladder cancer associated with long-term use. I will fight for compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and any other damages associated with you diagnosis and treatment. There is help available for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Other Side Effects
In addition to the increased risk of bladder cancer, Actos has been associated with several other side effects. Here are some of them:
Fluid Retention
Actos can cause fluid retention, resulting in swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet. This occurs because the medication affects kidney function, leading to sodium and water retention in the body.
Weight Gain
Some individuals taking Actos may experience weight gain. This is thought to be due to the drug’s ability to enhance insulin sensitivity and promote fat storage in the body.
Edema
Actos has been linked to the development of edema, which refers to the accumulation of fluid in tissues. It occurs because the medication can affect blood vessel permeability, causing fluid to leak into surrounding tissues.
Bone Fractures
Long-term use of Actos has been associated with an increased risk of bone fractures, particularly in women. The exact mechanism is unclear, but it is thought that Actos may negatively impact bone density or quality, making bones more susceptible to fractures.
Liver Problems
Rare cases of liver problems, including liver damage and elevated liver enzymes, have been reported in individuals taking Actos. It is important to monitor liver function periodically during treatment with the medication.
Actos Facts
- More than 2 million patients filled a prescription for a pioglitazone-containing product.
- Sold as a single-ingredient product under the brand-named Actos.
- Pioglitazone is also sold in combination with metformin, which is also a type 2 diabetic drug. These combination drugs are named Actoplus Met, Actoplus Met XR and Duetact/Glimepiride.
- Actos is marketed to be used in association with diet and exercise to control blood sure levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Lawsuits allege Actos was defectively designed and unreasonably dangerous, and the manufacturers and distributors of Actos failed to adequately warn the public of know dangers.
If you took Actos, or other combination drug containing pioglitazone for more than 24 months, or had cumulative dosage of more than 28,000 mg and then developed bladder cancer, you need to call me today!
I have the experience and financial resources to take on large corporations. I have spent the last 40 Years fighting for victims injured by defective drugs, and have obtained hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation for my clients.
Call me today and I’ll Make Them Pay!® or complete the form on this page!
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