Actos And Bladder Cancer

by admin on November 1st, 2011

Actos was introduced to the U.S. market in 1999, and is prescribed to treat diabetes mellitus type 2. Recently there have been concerns regarding the link between Actos and bladder cancer. For years, sales of the drug lagged behind those of a rival diabetes medication called Avandia. This changed in 2007, when a study revealed that Avandia increased the risk of heart attacks. Actos quickly dominated the market with sales in 2010 exceeding $4 billion. Because of a recent revelation by the FDA, however, the drug’s manufacturer, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, will likely face hundreds of Actos lawsuit 2011 claims.

In June 2011, the FDA issued a safety warning about the drug, cautioning the public that using it for longer than a year could lead to the development of bladder cancer. Like other malignancies, it can be fatal without treatment. Chemotherapy may be necessary if Actos and bladder cancer side effects are not detected early. Below, we’ll explain how the treatment works, and describe the side effects caused by the drugs.

How Chemotherapy Kills Bladder Cancer Cells

Normally, cells divide at a relatively uniform pace. Cancer cells, on the other hand, split quickly and erratically. This is the way they spread (i.e. metastasize) beyond the original site of the tumor. As they divide, they create other diseased cells that also divide quickly, allowing the disease to grow out of control.

Chemotherapy uses drugs that are designed to kill cancer cells by targeting those that split quickly. The medicines kill diseased cells that are in the process of dividing. They also change those that have not yet divided, preventing them from doing so down the road. The chemicals essentially “sterilize” them by damaging their nuclei.

It’s worth pointing out that cells in some areas of the body – for example, the scalp, stomach, and mouth – split more quickly than others. As a result, these cells are sometimes targeted by the chemotherapy drugs. This is the reason many people who undergo treatment experience numerous side effects.

Common Side Effects Of Chemotherapy

The medicines can be given in three ways to treat bladder cancer. The approach taken by the doctor will play a key role in determining which side effects surface. For example, they can be delivered to the bladder through a catheter inserted into the urethra. Side effects are usually minor, and limited to pain during urination, a need to urinate more frequently, and blood in the patient’s urine (hematuria).

The drugs are often given orally (in pill format), or through a vein (intravenously), to kill cancer cells that have invaded other areas of the body. This is a systemic approach to treating bladder cancer after it has metastasized. As noted earlier, side effects occur when the drugs target normal, though fast-dividing, cells throughout the body.

For example, hair loss may occur as the medicines reach the hair follicles; nausea and vomiting are also common as cells in the gastrointestinal tract are affected; and infections are likely as the volume of blood cells drops. The type of drugs (there are over 100 of them) influences which side effects present.

When Actos And Bladder Cancer Cannot Be Cured

By the time bladder cancer reaches stage IV, the tumor will have spread to the abdominal wall. There is also a good chance it has spread to distant areas of the body. At this point, chemotherapy may not be able to cure the disease. It is instead administered with the goal of slowing the cancer’s progression and minimizing the patient’s symptoms. The patient’s survival is unlikely.

Actos and bladder cancer pose a serious risk, especially given the disease’s high rate of recurrence. Although the medication has been banned in France and severely restricted in Germany, the FDA has allowed its continued sale in the U.S. Meanwhile, as more people become exposed to an increased risk of bladder cancer, the drug contributes substantially to the bottom line of its manufacturer, Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

If you have used Actos and been diagnosed with bladder cancer, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. Contact an Actos lawsuit bladder cancer attorney to discuss your case. We provide a free no-obligation consultation and nationwide representation.