Actos® Safety Information
Important Update: In June 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Actos® (pioglitazone) might increase the risk of bladder cancer in some users. The agency added a warning to the drug’s label to inform patients and healthcare providers about the potential risk, but has decided to keep Actos® on the U.S. market. The FDA says it will continue to investigate the bladder cancer link as part of an on-going study.
Actos® has been recalled in France due to the possible risk of bladder cancer. French regulators suspended the sale of pioglitazone on June 9, 2011 after results from a French study revealed a possible increase in the risk of bladder cancer. Takeda Pharmaceuticals voluntarily recalled pioglitazone in France one month after sales of the drug were suspended.
Actos® vs. Avandia®
Avandia® (rosiglitazone), a drug in the same class as Actos®, first came under fire due to evidence of an increase in the risk of heart problems. Avandia® was pulled from the European market and is now under tight restrictions here in the U.S.
Since the drug first came under scrutiny, the makers of Actos® (pioglitazone), Avandia's number one competitor, started using the opportunity to reach out to the millions of patients taking Avandia®, suggesting that they switch to Actos® as the safer alternative.
Now, with evidence pointing to a possible risk of bladder cancer in Actos® users, concern over the safety of both drugs is on the rise. For more information, please browse our site, or contact us to speak with an Actos® attorney about a potential claim.