The risk of bladder cancer is 40 percent greater in patients taking Actos for longer than two years.

Takeda Pharmaceutical’s blockbuster diabetes drug Actos (pioglitazone) has been linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer in numerous studies, a find that prompted both France and Germany to suspend prescription of the popular drug. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned of this potentially life threatening Actos side effect, but has not pulled the drug off the shelves. The FDA is currently conducting its own investigation into the link between Actos and bladder cancer.

Data linking pioglitazone to bladder cancer was first observed in animal studies back in 1999.

Cancer has been reported in both Actos animal studies and human clinical trials for years, placing the legal obligation on Takeda to update its Actos package insert.

Takeda failed to do so other than an FDA required reference in the Actos package insert to 2005 study results showing that four times as many participants taking Actos had developed bladder cancers, but Takeda also inserted minimizing language stating a causal link had not been established between Actos and bladder cancer. Takeda continues to sell this potentially dangerous drug to diabetes patients at risk for bladder cancer in most countries throughout the world.

If you have taken Actos, Actoplus met, Actoplus met XR, or duetact, and are now suffering from Actos side effects, including bladder cancer, you may be entitled to compensation. It is very important that you find experienced legal counsel to help you through this difficult time and to possibly file an Actos lawsuit on your behalf.

The law firm of Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman has extensive experience in litigating thousands of personal injury, wrongful death and consumer class action cases against major pharmaceutical companies over the past 20 years. The firm has been on the prevailing side of some of the nation's most highly-publicized cases. Such litigation involves complex evidence and choice of law issues which have been routinely handled by the firm in both state and federal courts.

Baum Hedlund maintains the highest AV® peer review legal rating* and is recognized as a preeminent plaintiff firm that tries or settles serious personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits across the nation. The firm has offices in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., and is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and is able to communicate in Spanish, German and Farsi.