FDA Warns of Possible Bladder Cancer Risk from Pioglitazone

Abstract

Description: (Patients taking pioglitazone (Actos) for more than a year may have an increased risk of bladder cancer, according to an FDA interim review of an ongoing epidemiological study. The warning came just days after two European countries banned use of the drug. The label for the diabetes drug pioglitazone (Actos) will now warn patients about a potential increased risk for bladder cancer when taken for 1 year or more, the FDA announced on Wednesday. Last week, France decided to pull pioglitazone off the shelves over similar concerns, and Germany recommends that new patients not start using the drug. JMS 2011:14(2):76