The Law Office of Taylor Martino Rowan are looking into claims related to the diabetes drug Onglyza, and it’s potential ability to cause heart failure and pancreatic cancer in patients.
Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR are both manufactured by AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb. Lawsuits allege they potentially increase the risk of severe, life-threatening side effects. In both the Onglyza heart failure lawsuit and Onglyza pancreatic cancer lawsuit that has been filed, plaintiffs allege that the drugs increased the risk of both heart failure and pancreatic cancer, of which complications of both can be deadly.
Manufacturers of the potentially dangerous drugs are assumed to have acted negligently by failing to adequately test their medications—per recommendation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—before making them available to the public. Many consumers were thereby injured by their apparent wrongful actions.
Onglyza belongs to a class of medications called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. It works to increase the amount of insulin produced by the body after eating when blood sugar levels are at their highest. Onglyza blocks the action of DPP-4 thereby suppressing the inactivation and degradation of certain gastrointestinal hormones called incretins (GLP-1) involved in the removal of glucose from the gut. This in turn increases insulin secretion and decreases gastric emptying thereby reducing blood glucose levels.
Onglyza is not used to treat type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. It comes in tablet form and is taken by mouth usually once a day. While Onglyza is used to treat type 2 diabetes, it does not cure it. To continue to benefit from Onglyza’s effects, patients are advised to continue taking the medication even when their illness is controlled. You should always speak with your doctor before you stop taking any medications you are prescribed.
In 2011, Pancreatitis was added to both Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR’s warning labels. Serious cases of pancreatitis can result in pain and suffering, hospitalization, or even death. Pancreatitis can also put you at risk as a precursor to pancreatic cancer. In 2013, the FDA launched an investigation into the connection between Onglyza and pancreatic cancer.
Equally concerning is the FDA safety review revealed evidence of an increased risk of heart failure linked to medicines containing saxagliptin—such as Onglyza—and alogliptin. Patients with preexisting heart or kidney disease are at the greatest risk.
Results were pulled from two large clinical trials conducted in patients with heart disease. These trials were previously discussed at an FDA advisory committee meeting exactly one year prior in April 2015. Both trials showed more patients taking the type 2 diabetes medicine saxagliptin (3.5 percent) hospitalized for heart failure than those who took placebos (2.8 percent).
Most patients taking Onglyza or Kombiglyze XR will experience mild side effects while their bodies are adjusting to the medication. Kombiglyze XR combines the side effects of Onglyza along with those associated with metformin. However, some side effects can persist or worsen over time.
Common Onglyza side effects include:
Rarely, side effects of Onglyza can be serious. You should immediately report the following symptoms to your doctor:
Kombiglyze XR combines the active ingredient found in Oblgyza, saxagliptin, with metformin—a medication belonging to a class of drugs called biguanides used to help control the amount of glucose in the blood in people with type 2 diabetes. This is done by increasing the body’s response to insulin while decreasing the amount of the substance absorbed from food.
Metformin has its own list of side effects, including:
Receiving a heart failure diagnosis is discouraging. Especially when, as a patient, you should be able to trust that your medications are safe. When that trust is betrayed, it is our job at Taylor Martino Rowan to hold these companies responsible.
As dangerous drug lawyers, we want to give you the best possible chance at success, which means obtaining a sizable settlement or favorable jury verdict to help you receive the utmost medical treatment to aid in your comfort or recovery and restore some of your losses.
You are not alone in this. Our Onglyza lawsuit attorneys are knowledgeable about legal claims involving drug injuries. We will walk you through this difficult time and help answer your questions along the way.
Taylor Martino’s experienced personal injury legal team is speaking with Onglyza users who have suffered heart complications and assessing potential legal action against AstraZeneca. If you or a loved one have sustained injuries after taking Onglyza, we are here to help.
Our Onglyza injury lawyers at want to speak with you about your case today! We are are offering FREE legal consultations with our experienced Onglyza lawsuit lawyers to those who may have suffered both medically and financially as a result of being prescribed Onglyza for diabetes.
We promise to work hard for you as you bring forth your claim, protecting your confidentiality and defending your rights along the way. We will evaluate your situation and determine if you have a legal claim for damages and how we can best help get you the compensation you need and deserve to recover and get on with your life, hopefully healthier and happier. Call us at 251-433-3131.
