The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is urging Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of the diabetes drug Actos (pioglitazone), to warn consumers that the drug has been linked to increased risk of urinary bladder cancer.
The drug has been banned completely in France and Germany. In addition, Competact, a combination of pioglitazone and metformin, has also been banned in those countries. Other European countries are currently considering whether or not to suspend the use of these drugs.
United States Response
On this side of the pond, action is also being taken to inform consumers about the cancer risks of taking Actos, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issuing warnings about the drug. According to the FDA interim review analyzing the association between pioglitazone and bladder cancer, patients who have taken Actos for over one year were 40 percent more likely to develop bladder cancer than those who have never taken the drug.
This is not the first time that concerns about the drug class that Actos falls in, thiazolidinediones, have been raised. Last year, the FDA also restricted use of Avandia because studies indicated that it is linked to heart attacks and congestive heart failure.
Because of these cancer warnings, the American Diabetes Association is concerned about another risk: That is, the risk to patients who abruptly stop taking their diabetes medication because they are afraid of developing bladder cancer. With this concern in mind, the organization issued a warning of its own - in conjunction with the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the Endocrine Society -urging diabetic patients to consult their doctors before they make such a decision.
In a joint statement, the organizations warned: "Stopping diabetes medications can result in higher levels of blood glucose that may cause serious short-term health problems and could increase the risk of diabetes-related complications in the long term."
Ultimately, if you are currently taking Actos, it is a good idea to discuss with your doctor the possible side-effects of the medication. And if you believe that you or a loved one has been injured as a result of long-term Actos use, contact an experienced defective drug attorney in your area today to be advised of your rights and options.
