Onglyza & Kombiglyze
Onglyza (Saxagliptin) Lawsuit Information
Onglyza (Saxagliptin) belongs to a new class of type-2 diabetes medications that control blood-sugar levels by increasing the amount of insulin made by the pancreas. Onglyza is a popular medication, partly because it effectively controls blood sugar and does not induce weight gain like other diabetes medications.
The drug belongs to a class of medications known as incretin mimetics, which work by mimicking the incretin hormones that the body usually produces to naturally stimulate the release of insulin in response to a meal. Specifically, they belong to a class of drugs called DPP-4 inhibitors. These medicines help the pancreas secrete more insulin and stop the liver from making excess sugar. Other drugs in this class include the medications Januvia, Janumet, Byetta, and Victoza. Onglyza is manufactured by AstraZeneca.
Onglyza Risks
Studies in 2015 indicated that users of Onglyza had a higher-than-normal risk of pancreatic and thyroid cancer and an increased risk of heart failure.
Some patients were diagnosed with pacreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. Serious cases of pancreatitis require hospitalization and can lead to death or to pancreatic cancer.
One of the most serious complications linked to Onglyza and other incretin therapies is the possibility of an increase in the risk of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is particularly difficult to treat because it is often not diagnosed until later stages. According to a study, DPP-4 drugs like Onglyza increase the number and size of beta cells in the pancreas as promised, but that the cells were abnormal. They also found small, benign tumors called adenomas that can become malignant.
In this study, they found that this change only occurred in Type 2 diabetes patients who took DPP-4 or GLP-1 drugs, and not in people with diabetes who took other drugs. This is some of the most concrete evidence against Onglyza and similar drugs.
Onglyza was also linked to a 27% increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure in the SAVOR clinical trial, published by the New England Journal of Medicine in February 2014.
Heart failure occurs when the heart pumps blood at a slower-than-usual rate, which prevents the body from receiving the oxygen and nutrients it needs. It can also lead to a buildup or congestion of fluids throughout the body, called congestive heart failure. It has been recommended that this drug be avoided by people at risk for heart failure.
Onglyza Lawsuit
Lawsuit have been filed by people who have suffered heart failure after taking Onglyza. It appears that the makers of Onglyza may have withheld important safety information from consumers and the medical community. As a result, financial compensation may be available through an Ongylza class action lawsuit or individual injury claim for individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer or heart failure.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one experienced pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer or heart failure after taking Onglyza or Kombiglyze XR, please contact us. You may be eligible to file a Onglyza lawsuit.
