A widely prescribed drug for diabetes, called pioglitazone (marketed as Actos in the United States), is now being investigated by the FDA because it may increase the risk of bladder cancer. It is already known to increase the risk of liver damage in patients who take it. It is also known to cause heart failure in some patients. In spite of all of these possible side effects, the drug is still one of the most prescribed drugs for diabetes because it is only about half as likely to cause heart attacks as its most significant competitor, Avandia.
Amazingly, the FDA has recently prohibited the prescription of Avandia, unless it is being used as a last resort drug where all other diabetes drugs have failed. continue reading…