New Diabetes Drug Scare: Actos to be Reviewed by FDA

I had taken Avandia for years when I began to see news reports questioning its safety. Of course I was scared. Was the very drug I was taking to improve my health and decrease risks of diabetes-related complications hurting my heart? Wait, was that a weird thump?

When the safety of the once most popular diabetes drug in the world, Avandia (rosiglitazone), was questioned, sales of Actos (pioglitazone) increased. These drugs are in the same thiazolidinedione drug class. In 2008, Actos, manufactured by Takeda Pharmeceuticals, had sales of over $2.4 billion and was the 10th best-selling drug in the U.S.

Now the Food and Drug Administration has issued a statement that it is reviewing data based on concerns Actos might increase the risk for bladder cancer.

Based on five-year data from a 10-year study, there may be an increased risk of bladder cancer in patients with the longest exposure and with the highest cumulative dose.? There is no clear association between the drug and increased risk of bladder cancer, and the FDA has not concluded Actos increases the risk for bladder cancer.

This news can be scary, especially for those who have been switched from Avandia to Actos. Not only are they at higher risk for diabetes-related complications, but they might be at higher risk for heart attacks and bladder cancer. The operative word is might.

It is important to understand that there has not been a smoking-gun link found. In other words, at the present time, Avandia has not been found to cause heart attacks or Actos to cause bladder cancer. They might increase risk.

Keep in mind risk and cause are two different things. For instance, driving over the speed limit might increase your risk for a car accident, but it cannot be said driving over the speed limit will cause an accident.

So if you take Actos, do not stop taking your medication unless your doctor instructs you to do so. As with any drug, your doctor will look at your situation and weigh the risks of taking the drug versus not taking it. Your doctor may feel discontinuing the drug might increase other risks unacceptably or other options might be available for you.

Inform yourself with an Overview of Diabetes Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes for some talking points to share with your doctor if you are seeking alternatives.

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