FOR A FREE CASE EVALUATION, CALL 1-800-632-1404

If you took Actos® (pioglitazone) for a year or longer and have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, call the Actos bladder cancer lawyers with our firm at 1-800-632-1404. Our firm is currently reviewing cases involving persons who took Actos® for control of blood sugar.

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

One of the allegations against Actos is that it could cause congestive heart failure.  Congestive heart failure results when either the left or right side of the heart fails to pump enough blood. A failing heart muscle cannot pump enough blood into the arteries and tissues to maintain normal body functioning.

Inability to pump blood

Congestive heart failure is the inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood for the body’s needs. It may be due to a weakening of the heart muscle or obstruction of a valve. If the left side of the heart cannot eject all the blood returning from the lungs, blood backs up into the lungs, fluid leaks into the lungs’ air sacs, and breath becomes short and makes crackling sounds (rales). If the right side of the heart cannot adequately accommodate the blood returning from all parts of the body through the veins, blood backs up into the veins. Neck veins distend, the liver enlarges, fluid may accumulate in the abdomen, the feet swell, and body weight increases. Also, the body often retains salt and water because of effects on the nervous sytem, endocrine glands, and kidneys. Excess fluids overload the heart and the circulatory system and make them even more inadequate.

Treatment

Treatment consists of drugs such as digitalis to strengthen and slow heart action and diuretics that cause the kidney to excrete more salt and water. It may also include supplementary oxygen to ease breathing, dietary limitations on salt and fluids, and restrictions on physical activity. Several other older drugs, as well as new ones, are used for treatment.

Thrombophlebitis

Congestive heart failure can cause further complications. The cause of thrombophlebitis is not known, but predisposing conditions include the postpartum state (after giving birth), postoperative periods, fractures, cancer, and infection. The disorder is especially prevalent in patients with congestive heart failure. It can be serious and even lethal if a clot breaks off and moves to the lungs. Although thrombophlebitis can occur without signs or symptoms, common indications are swelling of the leg and discomfort in the calf and inner thigh at rest. It is best diagnosed by noninvasive techniques such as ultrasound and by injecting dye into the veins to outline the clot on X rays (venogram).

BACKGROUND

Since 1999, Actos® has been prescribed as part of an overall treatment regimen for controlling blood sugar in diabetic patients. In recent years it has also been prescribed as a diabetes preventative in those who show the early signs of the disease. In September 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began a safety review of Actos® when new data was discovered that suggested a link to increased risk of bladder cancer.

The risk of bladder cancer is MUCH HIGHER for those that take the drug at higher cumulative doses and for longer periods of time. This increased risk is also greater in men than in women. The FDA has issued a warning of the elevated risk to patients who have been taking Actos®, but added that patients should not stop taking Actos® unless instructed to do so by their physicians. The active ingredient in Actos® is also contained in other drugs, namely Actoplus Met®, Actoplus Met XR®, and Duetact®.

Although Actos® continues to remain on the shelves of drug stores in the United States, the drug is under a long-term observational study by the FDA. France suspended the drug and Germany recommended not to start new patients on the drug due to mounting concerns for their citizens.

RISK OF BLADDER CANCER

In June of this year the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the popular diabetes drug Actos(pioglitazone). The FDA had found that the use of pioglitazone for more than a year may be linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer.

SYMPTOMS OF BLADDER CANCER

Common symptoms of Actos®-related bladder cancer may include:

• ■Blood in urine, sometimes creating a change in urine color
• ■Frequent urination
• ■Painful urination
• ■Urinary tract infection

If you or a loved one developed bladder cancer during or after taking Actos®, Actoplus Met®, Actoplus Met XR®, or Duetact®, call us now at 1-800-632-1404 or SUBMIT A SHORT CASE FORM HERE for a free, no obligation, evaluation of your case.

HERE TO HELP.

If you are interested in claims for Actos, an Actos lawsuit, information on an Actos class action, or want to speak with anActos attorney, please call us today at 1-800-632-1404.

Members of our firm are attorneys currently representing clients who have taken several prescription drugs and claim injuries associated with those drugs, including Topamax®, Wellbutrin®, Fosamax®, and Actos®. Members of the firm also represent clients across the globe pertaining to medical device failures, including the Advanced Bionics HiRes90k® cochlear implant , the TVM / TVT transvaginal mesh – sling and the DePuy hip implant. For a free case evaluation, please contact:

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NOTE: Our team of attorneys will review potential cases for all fifty states, including Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin and Wyoming.