A national law firm, Parker Waichman LLP, is devoted to protecting the rights of victims injured by defective drugs. In June 2011, they filed a lawsuit against Actos in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana with Case No. 6:12-cv-1699 on behalf of a Texas woman. She took the drug and developed bladder cancer. Proceedings took place before Judge Rebecca F. Doherty. Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and Eli Lilly and Co. were listed as defendants.
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Why was there a lawsuit?
According to the complaint, the Plaintiff used Actos as directed between the years of 2000 to 2005 and was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2006. Allegedly, use of the drug caused a series of adverse effects including: severe mental and physical pain as well as emotional distress. She also experienced economic loss due to medical expenses, living-related expenses as a result of a new lifestyle and the loss of companionship with her husband.
What is Actos?
Actos is a diabetes medication that is prescribed for people to help them treat symptoms associated with Type 2 diabetes. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999 to treat patients with such illness. In September 2010, the agency announced that usage of the drug for two years was linked to an increased chance of bladder cancer. In June 2011, only days before they announced the label update, the use of Actos was banned in both France and Germany. U.S. FDA required warnings to be published on the labels of this medication that alert its users of the potential risks involving bladder cancer for those who use it for a prolonged period of time. In April 2011, Health Canada also updated the safety label on Actos to warn about the potential risk of bladder cancer.
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As a Kentucky Accident Attorney, I want to remind everyone to always read the labels before taking anything. Doctors and physicians are good about answering any questions and providing a summary about a new prescription. It’s still important to read labels and paperwork that comes with medicine. That way, you are aware of any side effects and directions required for the prescription.