In 2012, a study by Z. Zhu et al. titled “Increased risk of bladder cancer with pioglitazone therapy in patients with diabetes: a meta-analysis.” aimed to “examine the association between pioglitazone therapy and bladder cancer in patients with diabetes.” To be clear, “pioglitazone” is the chemical name for the diabetes drug Actos, manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Reviewing five separate previously-conducted studies that among them included over 2.3 million patients, Zhu et al. (2012) found that Actos use was “associated with a significantly higher risk of bladder cancer”. Overall, the use of Actos was determined to raise risk for bladder cancer by 17% over non-users, but if patients used Actos for 1-2 years, the risk jumps to 34%, and if Actos is used for more than two years, the risk was shown to jump to 38%.
Like other studies, this study also found that the risk for bladder cancer was particularly elevated if a patient used more than 28,000 mg of Actos total, over the course of treatment. Here, the risk for bladder cancer was found to be 58% higher than for non-users.
Due to the fact that Takeda knew Actos was associated with bladder cancer and failed to act, a number of Actos bladder cancer lawsuits have been filed. If you or a loved one used Actos and suffered bladder cancer as a result, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation for your undue injuries. For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of Actos bladder cancer lawyers at the information provided below. We have the experience, resources, and skills required to win the justice you deserve. Call today and see how we can help.
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