Actos Can Also Cause Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) and Blindness, in Addition to Bladder Cancer

A new study presented in June at the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) annual meeting suggested that Actos can also lead to vision loss or blindness. Was this really new information or not? I did a little bit more research on Actos and blindness and was shocked to see that back in April 2009, the American Journal of Ophthalmology also posted a “recent study” where nearly 1,000 patients developed Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) after taking Actos. Even more shocking was a 2003 study that showed results of a retrospective study that also indicated that Actos could result in DME. According to that article, presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, patients in that study had macular edema and also had lower extremity edema or swelling. But, once the Actos was stopped, the lower extremity edema was reversed and the DME was reduced.

How many more “recent studies” need to be published before diabetics who are taking Actos are made aware that the medication can lead to blindness? Thomas Liesegang, who is the Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Ophthalmology, was quoted as saying, “Ocular complications are an overlooked safety issue of systemic drugs. Safety is as important as the efficacy of a drug. However, long term safety is not currently monitored because the approval process is based on smaller, shorter term, clinical trials. Safety necessarily requires monitoring of treatment in larger groups of people over longer periods of time. This monitoring is often neglected”. Well, the association between Actos and blindness has been watched for at least 8 years now and they are seeing an increase in vision problems? How much longer does it need to be watched? Long enough to make sure that a diabetic loses their vision enough so they cannot see or read about all of these studies?

So whose fault is it that Actos is still being prescribed to diabetic patients? Is it the drug manufacturer or the doctor that continues to prescribe Actos after all of these “recent studies”? That is where we can help you. Our medical and legal teams look at each and every potential case to see if there was medical malpractice or product liability. Our teams of experienced doctors, nurses and lawyers go over each case individually and will never just assume your case would be a class action lawsuit case. Just recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that injured victims are NOT preempted from suing drug manufacturers in state courts. That is good news for you.

If you or a family member developed bladder cancer, edema, or blindness after taking Actos, please feel free to call one of our experienced Pennsylvania pharmaceutical litigation attorneys, doctors, or nurses for a strictly confidential and individual consultation.

Did you know that Actos has also been linked to bone fractures and heart attacks? I will save that for another blog.