FDA Warns that Actos May Cause Bladder Cancer
According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), as many as a third of Americans could have diabetes by the year 2050. This estimate is based on the fact that people are living longer and are gaining more weight.
Strides have been made in combating diabetes, but newer prescription drugs to help patients deal with Type 2 diabetes have had dangerous side effects.
In 2010, the popular diabetes drug Avandia was sharply restricted by the FDA when researchers found that it caused heart attacks and strokes. With Avandia off the market in Europe and restricted in the United States, Actos became the most popularly prescribed diabetes drug.
Between January 2010 and October 2010, an estimated 2.3 million patients filled prescriptions for products that contained pioglitazone, the main ingredient found in Actos.
But recently, the FDA has found that Actos has its own problems. In a study conducted by the FDA, patients taking Actos for one year or longer had a 40 percent increased risk of developing bladder cancer. This finding was enough for the FDA to issue a warning to doctors not to prescribe Actos to patients with active bladder cancer and to use caution in prescribing to patients with a prior history of bladder cancer.
Another study conducted in France has also suggested that patients have an increased risk of developing bladder cancer while taking Actos.
If you have been taking Actos for one year or longer, the FDA recommends that you continue taking the drug until you can talk with your doctor about potential alternative treatment options.
While on Actos, you should consult your doctor if you experience blood or red-colored urine, an urgent need to urinate or pain urinating, or pain in the back or lower abdomen.
