Saxagliptin is an incretin mimetic drug found in the prescription medications Kombiglyze XR and Onglyza and is used for treating type 2 diabetes.

However, these diabetes drugs have been associated with a potential risk of pancreatic cancer.

Researchers have conducted studies on patients who were taking an incretin mimetic, and they have found strong evidence of pancreatitis and pre-cancerous pancreatic tumors.

Although evidence linking these newer diabetes medications and pancreatic cancer has been growing for many years, concerns have been raised that many patients are not aware of the risks of Kombiglyze XR or other diabetes medication and pancreatic cancer.

What is Kombiglyze XR?

Kombiglyze XR contains a combination of metformin and saxagliptin, oral diabetes medications that help maintain blood sugar levels in patients who have type 2 diabetes.

Metformin works by decreasing glucose (sugar) production in the liver and decreasing absorption of glucose in the intestinal tract. Saxagliptin works by regulating insulin levels the body produces after eating.

Kombiglyze XR is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), and marketed in a joint partnership between BMS and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP.

Kombiglyze XR Side Effects

Kombiglyze XR is an incretin mimetic diabetes drug, and belongs to a class of diabetes medications that along with pancreatic cancer has recently been linked to the following serious side effects:

• Thyroid Cancer
• Pancreatitis
• Acute Pancreatitis
• Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis
• Necrotizing Pancreatitis
• Kidney Complications
• Renal Failure
• Heart Failure

Kombiglyze XR and Pancreatic Cancer

In March 2013, the FDA launched an investigation into the link between incretin mimetics like Kombiglyze XR and Onglyza and pancreatic cancer. The investigation was initiated after the results of a study published in the medical journal Diabetes identified pre-cancerous cellular changes in pancreatic tissue taken from type 2 diabetics treated with this class of diabetes medications.

Another study conducted by the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) and released on June 2013 also investigated the link between incretin mimetics like Kombiglyze XR and pancreatic cancer.

These studies associated Kombiglyze XR with a potential risk of pancreatitis, which is a major risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Other drugs in the same class as Kombiglyze XR have been associated with dozens of reports of pancreatic cancer in the FDA adverse event database, and the FDA has warned about “pre-cancerous cellular changes” in the pancreas of patients taking Kombiglyze XR or similar drugs.

According to an April 2013 report issued by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), more than 100 cases of pancreatic cancer in incretin mimetic users were reported to the FDA during the 12 month period ending in June 2012.

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after taking Kombiglyze XR or another diabetes medication, you may be entitled to compensation and should consider filing a diabetes medication lawsuit.  An experienced Kombiglyze XR attorney can help explain your legal options.