A recent article published as an editorial in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice by JA Johnson et al. titled “Balancing the risks and benefits for pioglitazone in type 2 diabetes.” set out to clarify some of the risks and benefits of using the diabetes drug Actos (pioglitazone).

The authors state “All therapeutic choices need to be based on the balance of potential risks and benefits. Treatment decisions are not always easy, and are best achieved when considering all available evidence. Busy clinicians may be aided in this process by syntheses of the evidence, particularly when it is rapidly evolving. A case in point is the role glucose-lowering therapies may play in modulating the elevated risk of many cancers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this issue of Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, Zhu et al. 1 contribute a meta-analysis of the use of pioglitazone and the risk of bladder cancer, synthesizing data from 5 previously published studies and almost 2.4 million people. From these data, they report that pioglitazone use is associated with an overall 17% increased risk of bladder cancer. The authors also summarized findings of greater risks with larger cumulative doses and longer duration of pioglitazone use, which strengthen an inference of causality for this association.”

Though Johnson et al. (2012) point out a few limitations of the above-described Zhu et al. study, the team writes “Regardless of methodologic differences, however, our conclusions are consistent, that exposure to pioglitazone is associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer in people with type 2 diabetes, compared to not being exposed to pioglitazone. This finding is further corroborated by a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on file with the manufacturer 3.”

They continue “With the strong and consistent evidence, including preclinical animal studies, synthesis of data from [randomized control trials] and observational studies, and demonstration of a dose-risk gradient, it seems very likely that bladder cancer is a real risk with pioglitazone for patients with type 2 diabetes. This risk is likely in the range of a 20–25% relative increase, which may be even greater with longer term use.”

Due to the fact that Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. and Eli Lilly & Co., the manufacturers of Actos, have failed time and again to notify users of the risk for bladder cancer associated with their medication, a number of Actos bladder cancer lawsuits have been filed.  If you or a loved one used Actos and suffered bladder cancer, you too may be entitled to significant financial compensation.

For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of Actos bladder cancer lawyers at the information provided below.  We have the compassion, resources, and experience required to win the justice you deserve.  Call today and see how we can help.

(855) 452 – 5529

justinian@dangerousdrugs.us