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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. This includes but is not limited to persons residing in Arkansas.

EFFECT OF ACTOS

Actos® is a pioglitazone drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. Pioglitazone is an insulin sensitizer that works by making the tissues more sensitive to the effects of insulin. Bladder Cancer is a potential side effect of Actos®. Another of the potential side effects of the drug Actos is sinusitis. Sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinus cavities surrounding the nose and connected to it by tubes.

Bladder Cancer

Another common yet dangerous potential side effect that may be related to ingestion of Actos is bladder cancer. Bladder cancer is the second most common form of urinary tract cancer after prostrate cancer. The urinary tract consists of two kidneys, two tubes called ureters that run down from the kidneys to enter the back of the base of the bladder, the expansible muscular bladder itself with its control sphincter and a single outlet tube, the urethra that carries urine from the bladder to the exterior. The kidney and bladder are the major organs of the urinary tract, the system that removes body waste through the production and excretion of urine. In the process of filtering waste products from the blood, the kidney produces urine, which is then stored in the reservoir of the bladder. Bladder cancer can affect the entire urinary system.

Sinuses

The sinuses are a network of hollow spaces behind the nose. They occupy most of the front of the head and drain upper airway mucus as well as act as a generalized cleanser of facial and nasal tissue. These caves are connected by narrow holes or orifices. If these orifices become blocked, as happens all too often, the caves behind them also become clogged and inflamed. The chronic inflammation that occurs in these caves, or sinuses — sinusitis — is one of the more common chronic debilitating diseases, and it is often associated with asthma and hay fever.

Individuals with sinusitis complain of a heaviness often a bogginess, behind the nose and below the eyes. The bogginess may become so severe that a characteristic sinus headache results. If the sinus becomes infected, there may be a fever accompanied by a purulent (pus) discharge from the nose. The headache and the pain of sinusitis produce acute discomfort.

Sinusitis can cause localized dull headaches in the forehead, behind and between the eyes or in the cheeks. The pain can radiate to the temples or to the top or back of the head and can become worse when bending forward. Thick yellowish-greenish nasal drainage occurs. Sometimes sinusitis is accompanied by teeth pain.

Acute sinusitis gives rise to pain and sometimes redness and swelling over the sinus. The person may have a severe localized headache depending on which sinus is affected. Frontal sinusitis produces pain above the eyes. In maxillary sinusitis, the paid is in the cheeks which is often throbbing and is made worse by bending down or moving the head.

Jaundice

Another lesser known but potential side effect of Actos is Jaundice. It does not medically qualify as a rash; this condition manifests itself in a yellowish cast to the skin. Jaundice requires a thorough evaluation in order to be appropriately treated. When gallstones block the drainage of the liver into the intestine, surgical removal of the stones restores the liver’s access, thereby causing the jaundice to resolve.

We stand ready to discuss Actos and bladder cancer with you.

MORE ABOUT ACTOS

Actos is a drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes. While the drug is effective, it does have certain side effects, which can include the following:

Pharyngitis

One of the common side effects of Actos is Pharyngitis. Pharyngitis is the inflammation of the pharynx. It is experienced as a sore throat. Pharyngitis can appear suddenly (acute) or it can persist over several months or even years (chronic).

The pharynx provides a vital link between the nose, mouth and the voice box. In doing so it plays a major role in the essential tasks of breathing, eating and speaking. The pharynx is deep lined with muscles and is shaped very roughly like an inverted cone. It extends for about 5 inches behind the arch at the back of the mouth to where it joins the gullet.

Myalgias

Another common side effect of Actos is myalgisa. Myalgisa refers to aching in the muscles. It is common in the upper or lower back and neck areas. It is usually present on both the left and right sides and present as a dull throbbing discomfort.

Sinusitis

Yet another commons side effect of Actos is sinusitis. Sinusitis is inflammation of the mucosal lining of the paranasal sinuses, which leads to stasis, obstruction, and subsequent infection. The sinuses are air-filled bony cavities that produce and drain up to 2 pints of mucus every day. Self-cleaning occurs by movement of the mucus, propelled by cilia, through the ostia, which are located behind the turbinates. Acute sinusitis is a bacterial infection of one or more paranasal sinuses, which occurs when the normal drainage is impaired because of blockage of one or more ostia.

Hypoglycemia 

Some patients who were prescribed Actos for treatment of type 2 diabetes have reported hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is the condition in which the level of glucose falls below normal levels affecting the individual’s ability to process information, including interruption in short-term memory, decrements in motor control (weakness), and other autonomic and adrenergic symptoms (e.g., trembling, difficulty concentrating, tiredness, headache, sweating, dry mouth, and hunger).

Serious Complications

Besides the general side effects, Acots can also cause serious medical problems such as bladder cancer and congestive heart failure.

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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