Pioglitazone Containing Medicines: Ongoing Safety Review For A Potential Increased Risk of Bladder Cancer

Last Updated on June 20, 2011 by Joseph Gut – thasso

June 20, 2011 – The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informed recently (on June 15, 2011) that the  use of the diabetes medication Pioglitazone [Actos] for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Information about this risk will be added to the Warnings and Precautions section of the drug labels for pioglitazone-containing medicines (see the graphic at left for brand names and compositions (double click the image for enlargement)). The patient Medication Guide for these medicines will also be revised to include information on the risk of bladder cancer. This safety information is based on FDA’s review of data from a five-year interim analysis of an ongoing, ten-year epidemiological study. The five-year results showed that although there was no overall increased risk of bladder cancer with pioglitazone use, an increased risk of bladder cancer was noted among patients with the longest exposure to pioglitazone, and in those exposed to the highest cumulative dose of pioglitazone.

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, the French health authorities (AFSSAPS) have suspended the use of pioglitazone-containing medicines (i.e., Actos and Competact) in France.  Germany’s BfArM has recommended not to start pioglitazone-containing medicines in new patients. The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) is in the process of reviewing all available data on pioglitazone-containing medicines use and re-analyze the risk / benefit ratio shortly.

Additional Information for Patients, Information for Healthcare Professionals, and a Data Summary are provided in the Drug Safety Communication.

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. FDA will continue to evaluate data from the ongoing ten-year epidemiological study. The Agency will also conduct a comprehensive review of the results from the French study. FDA will update the public when more information becomes available.