Actos® and Bladder Cancer
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that use of the diabetes medication Actos® (pioglitazone) for more than one year has been associated with a 40 percent increase in the risk for bladder cancer. The FDA urges patients that have taken Actos to contact a medical professional immediately if they experience any of the following symptoms:
- Blood or red color in urine
- Urgent need to urinate or pain while urinating
- Pain in back or lower abdomen.
Information about the risk of bladder cancer associated with Actos has been added to the Warnings and Precautions section of the label for pioglitazone-containing medicines as well as the patient Medication Guide.