Actos Frequently Asked Questions

Actos is a prescription medication primarily designed for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Also known as Pioglitazone, the drug has known dangerous side effects that can cause serious harm to patients. One of the primary side effects is the increased risk of bladder cancer in patients that have taken Actos regularly for an extended period of time, but other serious side effects have been associated with the drug as well. If you were harmed because of taking Actos, you have the right to be compensated for your injuries. You should not have to bear the high financial cost associated with your injuries, the company responsible for manufacturing the defective drug should be.

If you or someone you love has been harmed by Actos, the highly experienced attorneys at Gilman & Bedigian are here to fight for you. Here, we answer frequently asked questions about the medication, as well as what to do once you have suffered injury.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Actos?

Actos, or Pioglitazone Hydrochloride, is a prescription drug manufactured by Japanese company Takeda Pharmaceuticals. It is distributed in the United States by Eli Lily. It is designed primarily to treat Type 2 diabetes. It is part of a class of pharmaceuticals known as thiazolidinediones. It debuted in the United States in 1999 and has raked in billions of dollars a year for Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

It is designed to help tissue absorb insulin that circulates throughout the blood supply. Helping treat “insulin resistance” helps to combat one of the primary reasons for diabetes.

2. What is Type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes is characterized by the human body’s struggle to produce enough insulin, commonly referred to as “blood sugar.” Type 2 diabetes is the far more common version of the disease, affecting 90% of all Americans afflicted with diabetes. It is typically characterized by an elevated blood sugar level that can cause serious health problems if left untreated. With proper medication and changes in diet and exercise, Type 2 diabetes can be managed successfully in most cases.

3. What are the side effects associated with Actos?

Actos has been known to cause very serious side effects such as:

Irregular breathing
Decreased urine output
Dilated neck veins
Extreme fatigue
Weight gain
Unusual tiredness or weakness
Chest pain
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Irregular heartbeat
Teeth problems
Shortness of breath
Swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or legs
Tightness in the chest
Trouble breathing
Wheezing
Unexplained pain or swelling in the arms or legs
Pale skin

4. Can Actos cause bladder cancer?

Numerous studies have linked the use of Actos for long periods of time with an increased risk for bladder cancer. The FDA has required the manufacturer of Actos to issue a public warning about this risk in 2011. Other countries, such as France and Germany, have banned the use of Actos in total. Lawsuits against Takeda Pharmaceuticals have piled up, and a jury in Louisiana returned a verdict that Takeda knew about and concealed the risk of cancer from consumers.

5. What is a defective products liability lawsuit?

When a manufacturer of a medication or drug puts a defective product into the market for people to purchase, that company should be held responsible for its actions. Defective products can cause serious injuries such as unintended side effects that may cause serious medical injury or even death. The pharmaceutical company can be held responsible for a drug when it causes harm to the patients that take it.

6. Can I sue my doctor for failing to warn me of symptoms?

You can file a medical malpractice lawsuit against a doctor who failed to properly advise and warn you of the possible side effects associated with Actos. Because the medicine has known risks, the doctor is required to inform you of those risks, as well as give you important medical information about how your life will change while on the drug. Failure to warn you of these side effects can be considered medical malpractice in many cases.

When a doctor commits medical malpractice, he or she should be responsible for the injuries caused by his or her failure to warn you of the potential side effects. Discuss with your attorney the facts and circumstances of your case to better understand how this may apply to you.

7. What experience does your firm have with Actos lawsuits?

Our firm is highly experienced in representing patients injured by the use of Actos. Our firm is also highly experienced in the area of medical malpractice law and product liability law. We understand the complicated medical issues associated with this medication, as well as how to prove that your injuries were caused by it. Our team of experts is ready to put in the time on your individual case to make sure your rights are protected.

8. What compensation can I receive?

An injured person is entitled to receive financial compensation in the form of money damages for any injuries that result from the use of Actos. This financial compensation may include, but is not limited to:

cost of medical bills
future medical costs
rehabilitation costs
pain and suffering
lost wages
loss of consortium
damages related to loss of ability to get pregnant
wrongful death damages

These money damages can help make you whole again and help pay for the costs you have incurred already, as well as any future costs as well. You also deserve compensation for any lost work, as well as money damages for the pain and suffering you were forced to go through. You should not be on the hook for the costs of your injuries—only the responsible party should be.

Actos Lawyers in Philadelphia

When Actos causes you harm, you are entitled to bring a medical malpractice and/or products liability claim to receive financial compensation. The experienced attorneys at Gilman & Bedigian have the knowledge and years of practice to fight for your rights.