Research suggests that, if a mother took SSRI’s during pregnancy, the infant could be at increased risk of the following:

• Heart defects

• Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of a Newborn (PPHN)

• Lung defects

• Brain and spinal cord defects

• Abdominal wall defects

• Limb defects, and

• Congenital abnormalities

On December 14, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a safety announcement advising the public that there are conflicting findings from new studies evaluation this potential risk, making it unclear whether use of SSRIs during pregnancy can cause Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of a Newborn (PPHN). 12.14.2011 FDA Safety Announcement

If you took an antidepressant during pregnancy and your child suffered any of the birth defects that are identified, we would like to speak with you to determine if those defects were caused by your medication. There is no obligation to you and the inquiry is free.

Please email Attorney John Evans at jcevans@ssem.com or give him a call at 1-800-642-5297.

You may also complete the short form below or call us at 1-800-642-5297 for a free, confidential consultation at a time convenient for you.

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 Actos (generically known as pioglitazone), ACTOplus met (pioglitazone HCI and metformin HCI), Actoplus met xr (pioglitazone HCI and metformin HCI extended-release) and Duetact (pioglitazone HCI and glimepiride) are used to treat type 2 diabetes. The manufacturers of Actos (pioglitazone) warned doctors that the drug may cause or worsen congestive heart failure and that Actoplus met and Actoplus met xr can cause lactic acidosis, but did not warn that the drug may cause bladder cancer.

On July 15, 2011, the FDA announced (FDA 6.15.11 Safety Announcement) that the use of the diabetes medication Actos for more than a year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. The agency’s information was based on its review of data from an ongoing ten-year study. That study showed that an increased risk of bladder cancer was noted among patients with the longest exposure to Actos and the highest cumulative dose of Actos.

“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is informing the public that use of the diabetes medication Actos (pioglitazone) for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.”  (FDA 6/15/11 Announcement.)  This finding prompted the FDA to add a warning to the medication label.

Our firm will investigate and personally work your case, in contrast with many websites that advertise for leads and then sell your inquiry to some unknown attorney.

Actos (generically known as pioglitazone), ACTOplus met (pioglitazone HCI and metformin HCI), Actoplus met xr (pioglitazone HCI and metformin HCI extended-release) and Duetact (pioglitazone HCI and glimepiride) are used to treat type 2 diabetes. The manufacturers of Actos (pioglitazone) warned doctors that the drug may cause or worsen congestive heart failure and that Actoplus met and Actoplus met xr can cause lactic acidosis, but did not warn that the drug may cause bladder cancer.

On July 15, 2011, the FDA announced (FDA 6.15.11 Safety Announcement) that the use of the diabetes medication Actos for more than a year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. The agency’s information was based on its review of data from an ongoing ten-year study. That study showed that an increased risk of bladder cancer was noted among patients with the longest exposure to Actos and the highest cumulative dose of Actos.

“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is informing the public that use of the diabetes medication Actos (pioglitazone) for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.”  (FDA 6/15/11 Announcement.)  This finding prompted the FDA to add a warning to the medication label.

Researchers have only recognized a few things as causing bladder cancer (parasitic infection, radiation and chemical exposure). (Source: Mayo Clinic. See, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bladder-cancer/DS00177/DSECTION=causes).

Actos is produced by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Asia’s largest drugmaker, and has been one of the company’s most successful drugs. Actos is also one of the best selling diabetes medications on the market. According to industry analysts, from January through October 2010 approximately 2.3 million people filled prescriptions for Actos, bringing the company revenues of more than $2.6 billion. See patent information at: http://drugpatentwatch.com/ultimate/preview/tradename/index.php?query=ACTOS

Actos, ACTOplus met, actoplus met xr and duetact were seen as alternatives to the drug Avandia, whose maker just recently settled cases alleging that it was linked to strokes and heart attacks. According to John Evans, a partner at Specter Specter Evans & Manogue, P.C.,  “The makers of Avandia spent billions to settle lawsuits tied to Avandia. In the wake of problems associated with Avandia, doctors began prescribing Actos as safer alternative, causing its sales to skyrocket by the billions.”

Evans went on to say, “If the drugmaker knew of problems associated with its drug but suppressed the information to capitalize on the Avandia disaster, the company will be held accountable for both the drug and for suppressing information from doctors and patients. As Actos was marketed in the United States by Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co., that company may also be responsible.”

If you or a family member took Actos, ACTOplus met, actoplus met xr or duetact to treat diabetes for more than one year and have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, please contact us.  John Evans (jcevans@ssem.com), one of our experienced pharmaceutical attorneys, would be pleased to assist you in seeking legal remedies. 

If you or a family member took Actos, ACTOplus met, actoplus met xr or duetact to treat diabetes and suffered a heart attack or stroke, we would be interested in speaking with you.  Please email Mr. Evans at jcevans@ssem.com or give him a call at 1-800-642-5297.

You may also complete the short form below or call us at 1-800-642-5297 for a free, confidential consultation at a time convenient for you.

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HeartWire (2/7, O’Riordan) reported that Avandia’s new label has been changed to highlight the increased cardiovascular risks, noting in a boxed warning that the drug was associated with a significantly increased risk of MI.” The new label also highlights the “lack of comparative clinical trials between rosiglitazone and pioglitazone but notes that pioglitazone, in a study compared with placebo, was not associated with an increased risk of death or MI.” In addition, the boxed warning “includes previous caveats that rosiglitazone is not recommended in patients with symptomatic heart failure and that it can exacerbate congestive heart failure in some patients.”

Blizzard added, “So risky and dangerous is propoxyphene that the United Kingdom banned the drug in 2005 and the entire European Union followed suit in January of 2009.” Propoxyphene (Darvocet and Darvon) is associated with abnormal heart rhythms that can lead to death.

Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, Inc. pulled the brand-name propoxyphene drugs, Darvon and Darvocet (as well as their generics), from the market on November 19, 2010.  Blizzard continued, ”for thousands of Americans, the FDA’s action comes decades too late.”