Actos and avandia are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer among people with type 2 diabetes

This study was published in the British Medical Journal 2012 May 30;344:e3645

Study title and authors:
The use of pioglitazone and the risk of bladder cancer in people with type 2 diabetes: nested case-control study.

Azoulay L, Yin H, Filion KB, Assayag J, Majdan A, Pollak MN, Suissa S.
Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Côte Sainte-Catherine, H-425.1, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3T 1E2. laurent.azoulay@mcgill.ca

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22653981

Pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia) are types of thiazolidinediones, (also known as glitazones), are a class of medications used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

The objective of the study was to determine if the use of pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia) is associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer in people with type 2 diabetes. The study included 115,727 type 2 diabetics, average age 64 years, who were followed for 4.6 years.

The study found:
(a) Actos users had an 83% increased risk of bladder cancer compared to non users of thiazolidinediones.
(b) Actos users with a cumulative duration of more than 24 months had an 99% increased risk of bladder cancer compared to non users of thiazolidinediones.
(c) Actos users with a cumulative dosage of more than 28,000 mg had a 154%% increased risk of bladder cancer compared to non users of thiazolidinediones.
(d) Avandia users had an 14% increased risk of bladder cancer compared to non users of thiazolidinediones.
(e) Avandia users with a cumulative duration of more than 1,022 days had an 34% increased risk of bladder cancer compared to non users of thiazolidinediones.
(f) Avandia users with a cumulative dosage of more than 5,152 mg had a 27%% increased risk of bladder cancer compared to non users of thiazolidinediones.

The results of the study show that the use of actos and avandia are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer among people with type 2 diabetes.

For more information on the effects of actos visit drugwatch.