Will Actos Cause Bladder Cancer?

Q. I have type 2 diabetes and have been taking Actos for the last ten years. I have seen notices on TV about this drug causing bladder cancer, and I’m worried.
Is there a test to determine if I have bladder cancer? I am 58 years old.
A. The FDA announced in June that people who have taken Actos for more than a year may be at greater risk of bladder cancer. As a result, the agency warns that anyone with bladder cancer should avoid the drug, and it should be used “with caution” by those who had bladder cancer in the past.
If you experience symptoms of bladder cancer such as blood in the urine, painful urination, urinary urgency or pain in the back or lower abdomen, see your doctor. That said, we suspect that this is a rare occurrence. More common Actos side effects include fluid retention, weight gain, heart failure, headache, sinusitis and muscle pain.
Please discuss your concerns with your physician. There are several other medications that could help control blood sugar.