Diabetes Drug Actos Linked to Bladder Cancer

Posted by rozeklawoffice on August 26, 2011 under Mass Tort | Be the First to Comment

The type-2 diabetes drug Actos has been linked to a drastic increase in the rate of bladder cancer. Actos is taken orally in pill form. Actos works by helping the body reduce insulin resistance and utilize the body’s own naturally produced insulin or administered insulin. The active ingredient in Actos is Pioglitazone and it is found in the following diabetes drugs:

• Actos
• ActoPlus Met
• ActoPlus Met XR
• Duetac

It has been estimated that in 2010, over 2.5 million people were prescribed some type of Pioglitazone-containing diabetes drug.

It has long been known that Actos increased the risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and heart failure. Post-market studies have also show that Actos use can lead to additional complications including the following:

• Actos Hepatitis
• Actos Liver Failure
• Inflammation of the Liver
• Elevated Liver Enzymes
• Bone Fracture (women greater than men)

However, recent studies have established that long-term, high dose Actos use increases the risk of bladder cancer by up to 40%. Men experienced a higher risk of getting bladder cancer from Actos than women. The release of this news resulted in France and Germany pulling Actos off the market. Unfortunately, in the United States all the FDA did was require Actos manufacturers to include a warning in the fine print on the package insert. See the FDA Actos Drug Safety Alert.

Actos and the other Pioglitazone-containing diabetes drugs are manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company and marketed in the United States by Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals. It is estimated that over 20 million Americans have type-2 diabetes.

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If you or a loved one have taken Actos, ActoPlus Met, ActoPlus Met XR or Duetac and have contracted Bladder Cancer, contact an experienced Wisconsin Actos Attorney.

Wisconsin Safety Seat Law

Posted by rozeklawoffice on August 13, 2011 under Child Injuries, Safe Driving Tips | Be the First to Comment

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 3 – 14. Properly securing your children in the appropriate safety seats can protect them in the event of a motor vehicle accident.

Wisconsin law requires that children under 4 to be in a car seat and children 4 -8 to be in a booster seat. The specifics are as follows:

• Children less than 1 year old OR under 20 pounds must be in a rear facing child seat in the back seat (if there is a back seat)
• Children from 1 – 3 OR under 40 pounds must be in a forward-facing child seat in the back seat (if there is a back seat)
• Children from 4 – 7 OR between 40 – 80 pounds OR 4′ 9″ or less must be in a booster seat
• Children 8 and older OR 80 pounds or greater OR 4’9″ or taller must be in a seatbelt

While parents that fail to meet the above requirements can face serious fines and penalties, more importantly they may be endangering their children’s safety.

For more information regarding child seats visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Child Safety Seat Site. Also, September 24, 2011, is the National Seat Check Saturday.