Actos (Pioglitazone), the most widely used diabetes medication in the world, is now facing multiple legal challenges due to the recent warning about the risk of developing bladder cancer with the drug. According to several recent reports, the litigation involving the type II diabetes medication is now heating up. Personal injury attorneys are anticipating hundreds of Actos bladder cancer lawsuits will likely be filed in the upcoming months on behalf of bladder cancer victims.

The filing of lawsuits in United States began just weeks after the FDA announcement issued in June 2011 concerning Actos bladder cancer risk. According to a recent report, more than 25 Actos bladder cancer lawsuits have already filed against the manufacturer (Takeda Pharmaceuticals) in different federal district courts so far this September. Moreover, according the requests from the Actos bladder cancer affected patients, personal injury lawyers are now predicting thousands of lawsuits may be filed before the end of the year.

The first Actos bladder cancer lawsuit was filed on behalf of a woman named Nancy Rios, a 54-year-old hospital secretary who filed her lawsuit due to her recurrent bladder cancer for Actos use. She was using the drug for nearly a decade. She was first diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2009, and had her second operation to remove bladder tumors in this June, according to a recent report of Associated Press. In addition, she was worried about her medical expenses and missing more work in future. She also stated that she could lose her bladder and perhaps need chemotherapy for her cancerous tumors.

Rios alleged in her lawsuit that the manufacturer (Takeda Pharmaceuticals Ltd.) failed to adequately research their medication, and liable for not properly warning patients and doctors about the possible risk of developing bladder cancer with the long-term use of the medication.

Furthermore, A petition was filed in late august for consolidation of Actos bladder cancer lawsuits in a multidistrict litigation. According to a recent report, Plaintiffs Glen and Nina Weant, who filed the petition on August 31, requested to consolidate all Actos bladder cancer lawsuits in different federal courts before Judge G. Patrick Murphy for coordinated managing during pretrial litigation. However, the plaintiffs particularly requested to transfer all the federal Actos lawsuits to United Sates district court for the district of Illinois (southern).

The FDA approved Actos in July 1999. It is usually prescribed as an adjunct to diet and exercise in individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2. According to the patient medication guide, Actos usually works by reducing insulin resistance in user’s body, and helps by increasing insulin sensitivity in user’s cells.

Actos became the no. 1 diabetes pills in recent years. According to Associated Press, Actos took the number one position when a rival medication, Avandia (Rosiglitazone) banned in Europe and restricted in U.S. market due to its serious cardiovascular complications. However, a big sales drop this year as suspicion grows about the risk of developing bladder cancer with Actos.

Reportedly, market researchers now started to believe that this bladder cancer risk could spell the ending for a once very promising Type II diabetes medication.