Actos® Manufacturer Agrees to Settle Bladder Cancer Lawsuits

By Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn, LLP on April 29, 2015

pills in an orange bottle

After 9,000 lawsuits having been filed against them, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. has agreed to pay $2.37 billion to resolve claims that the popular diabetes drug Actos® causes bladder cancer.

Actos® was introduced into the market in 1999 to treat diabetes, and it is still being prescribed. Takeda claims that the lawsuits filed are without merit and the benefits of Actos® outweigh the risks. However, the company has agreed to settle bladder cancer claims to reduce the uncertainties of litigation.

If 95 percent of plaintiffs agree to the settlement, the company will pay out $2.37 billion, but if 97 percent of plaintiffs agree to the settlement, the amount will climb to $2.4 billion. The terms of the settlement would provide each plaintiff with upwards of $296,000 depending on the patients age, smoking history, family history and other variables.

Last year, a jury in Louisiana ordered Takeda and Ely Lilly Co., a co-marketer of Actos, to pay $9 billion in damages to a victim who was diagnosed with bladder cancer after taking the drug. The award was later reduced by a judge to $36.8 million.

Since 2013, Takeda has faced at least nine trials related to Actos, five resulted in awards for the plaintiffs.

Actos® Side Effects

Several studies, including the most recent published by the British Medical Journal in 2012, have revealed that Actos® led to an increased risk of developing bladder cancer among study participants.

Some other side effects Actos® users have reported include:

  • Congestive heart failure
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Liver failure
  • Edema (fluid retention)

Victims of Actos® side effects may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and their pain and suffering. If you believe that your medical problems are a result of taking Actos or another dangerous drug, contact an experienced Fort Worth personal injury attorney at Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn, LLP for a free case review.

Call (817) 920-9000 for help with your potential lawsuit today.

Fact Checked Icon

This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Seth Anderson, whose team has more than 50 years of combined legal experience in helping victims of personal injury seek justice.

Recent Blog Posts

pills from bottles

Actos® Link to Bladder Cancer Confirmed by the FDA

January 04, 2017

In December, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that taking the type 2 diabetes drug pioglitazone, also known as Actos, can increase patients’ risk of developing bladder cancer. The FDA announced this conclusion in a drug safety communication, which cited a 13-year study of 145,000 diabetes patients published...

Read Article

Request a Free Case Evaluation

Tell us about your accident and your injuries. An injury lawyer from our team will call and provide you with a free evaluation of your case. If we can help, and you are unable to travel, we will come to your home, office, or hospital. It’s easy – let’s get started.

Footer Call Icon

Give Us A Call

We are always available to discuss your case. Give us a call at (817) 920-9000.

Footer Mail Icon

Email Us Anytime

Email us anytime and we will get back to you.

Footer Map Icon

We’ll Come To You

Our attorneys will come to your home, office or hospital at your convenience.

Footer Calender Icon

Available 24/7

Our team is ready and waiting to help you today.

Fort Worth, TX. Office

4200 W Vickery Blvd
Fort Worth, TX 76107

Directions