Takeda Seeks Approval of New Actos Combination Drug, Even as it Faces Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuits

The pharmaceutical manufacturer, Takeda, is set to receive a decision from the Food and Drug Administration on January 25, 2011 regarding a new drug for diabetes therapy which combines alogliptin and Actos into a single tablet. In July 2011, Takeda re-filed an application to have the drug approved by the FDA and eventually have the drug made available to the public. The new data submitted to the FDA includes information about a cardiovascular outcomes trial. The new drug would be the first in the United States to have both a thiazolidinedione and a DPP-4 inhibitor in a single pill. Currently, Aloglitin is sold in other countries and has been approved by some regulators overseas.

However, the possible increased risk of bladder cancer from taking Actos for a year or more cannot be overlooked. In August 2011, the Food and Drug Administration approved updated labeling for Actos, a type 2 diabetes drug intended to regulate insulin and blood sugar levels in patients. The updated labeling indicates that the use of pioglitazone (Actos) for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Lawsuits from patients across the United States have been filed against Takeda Pharmaceuticals, alleging that their use of Actos caused them to develop bladder cancer.
As a number of lawsuits are pending and more are being filed, Takeda is continuing to press ahead and seek approval of another drug containing Pioglitazone. In 2010, more than 2 million patients were taking Actos. In one study done on the drug that evaluated 193,000 patients who were taking Actos for an average of 2 years, it was determined that their risk of bladder cancer increased 40% compared to if they had never been exposed to the drug. Studies concerning the bladder cancer risk are still ongoing

The law firm of Rudolph F.X. Migliore, P.C. is currently accepting cases involving Actos and bladder cancer. If you or a loved one has developed bladder cancer after taking Actos, you may be entitled to compensation for the harm Actos has caused.

With over three decades of experience, the Law Firm of Rudolph F.X. Migliore, P.C. is well positioned to help those who have suffered because of the dangerous diabetes drug Actos. The firm works with nationally-recognized co-counsel to reach major verdicts while providing individual, personalized attention. Call us for a free consultation at 631-543-3663 or visit our website: actos-bladdercancer.com for more information.