The popular type 2 diabetes medication Onglyza (saxagliptin) has been linked to an increased risk of heart failure, pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. There may also be an increased risk of death overall for patients taking this medication. Those who have experienced any of these dangerous side effects after taking this drug may be entitled to compensation by filing an Onglyza class action lawsuit.
We are currently investigating claims on behalf of Onglyza users who have suffered after taking this the medication. We have a successful track record of representing the injured against large pharmaceutical companies, and we are confident that we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means all of our legal services are free and we do not get paid unless we obtain a favorable verdict or settlement on your behalf. To schedule a free consultation regarding a potential Onglyza class action lawsuit, contact us today.
Onglyza belongs to a class of drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009 and is sold by AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
After hitting the market, it quickly became a popular type 2 diabetes medication due to its effective ability to control blood sugar, and because it did not encourage weight gain like other medications.
The drug was touted as a significant breakthrough in diabetes treatment. In 2014 alone, Onglyza sales reached $820 million. However, not long after the drug was approved, serious concerns began to surface about Onglyza and heart failure and Onglyza and pancreatic cancer.
About Onglyza
Onglyza belongs to a class of drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009 and is sold by AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
After hitting the market, it quickly became a popular type 2 diabetes medication due to its effective ability to control blood sugar, and because it did not encourage weight gain like other medications.
The drug was touted as a significant breakthrough in diabetes treatment. In 2014 alone, Onglyza sales reached $820 million. However, not long after the drug was approved, serious concerns began to surface about Onglyza and heart failure and Onglyza and pancreatic cancer.
Onglyza and Heart Failure
Data from a 2013 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed this class of diabetes medication increases patients’ risk for hospitalization for heart failure by 27 percent.
Based on those findings, an FDA advisory panel convened to assess the risks associated with Onglyza and heart failure. The panel concluded the drug should carry a warning about the increased risk of developing life-threatening cardiac episodes, such as heart attacks, heart disease or leaky heart valves.
Signs that you or someone you love may be suffering from heart failure due to Onglyza include:
- Persistent cough not due to illness, lung disease or asthma
- Feeling weak or fatigued
- Loss of appetite
- Waking to urinate at night
- Fast or irregular heartbeat, or palpitations
- Shortness of breath when you are active or after lying down
- Abdominal enlargement
- Swollen legs, ankles or feet
- Weight gain
- Neck veins that bulge or stick out
The side effects of Onglyza and heart failure are potentially life-threatening and pose serious risks to patients. If you or someone you love has experienced heart complications or any adverse event after taking this medication, Contact us to learn more about your legal right to file an Onglyza class action lawsuit.
Onglyza and Pancreatic Cancer
In 2011, additional risks were added to the drug’s warnings and precautions after the FDA received countless reports of patients developing acute pancreatitis, or swelling of the pancreas, after taking Onglyza.
In 2013, a study published in the journal Diabetes found a link between DPP-4 inhibitors and pre-cancerous cells in the pancreas. One of the key findings of the study showed that these cancer-causing cells only occurred in patients taking DPP-4 or GLP-1 medications, and not in those taking other diabetes drugs.
Signs you may be suffering from pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer after taking this drug include:
- Upper abdominal pain that radiates into the back
- Abdominal pain that is worse after eating, especially after eating foods high in fat
- Swollen abdomen
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever with increased heart rate
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Changes in stool
The potential link between Onglyza and pancreatic cancer is very real, and very frightening. When pharmaceutical companies place profit ahead of patient safety, innocent consumers can be seriously injured or die as a result of their greed and negligence. In recent years, hundreds of Onglyza class action lawsuits have been filed that claim the drug’s manufacturer failed to warn the public about its dangerous, potentially life-threatening side effects. If you or a loved one has suffered from heart failure, pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer that you believe was caused by this drug,