FDA warning on Actos [pioglitazone]

This is not a question. This is patient information taken from the FDA web site regarding a new Actos warning.

"Use of the diabetes medication Actos (pioglitazone) for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. The FDA is also aware of a recent epidemiological study conducted in France which suggests an increased risk of bladder cancer with pioglitazone. Based on the results of this study, France has suspended the use of pioglitazone and Germany has recommended not to start pioglitazone in new patients.

FDA recommends that healthcare professionals should:
• Not use pioglitazone in patients with active bladder cancer.
• Use pioglitazone with caution in patients with a prior history of bladder cancer. The benefits of blood sugar control with pioglitazone should be weighed against the unknown risks for cancer recurrence."

The FDA recently approved changes to labeling to include safety information that the use of pioglitazone [Actos] for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.