Certain diabetes medications have recently been reported to be linked to thyroid cancer.

Onglyza (saxagliptin) belongs to the drug family called incretin mimetics, a class of drugs used to treat type-2 diabetes.

Kombiglyze XR, a combination drug, is also a part of this medication class, as it contains the same active ingredient as Onglyza, saxagliptin, along with metformin.

Onglyza reduces blood sugar by stopping the liver from producing too much glucose, and reducing the amount of glucagon from the pancreas. This drug accomplishes blood sugar regulation by encouraging the body to produce more insulin after meals, giving the body an overall balance of healthy blood sugar and insulin.

A highly popular choice in type-2 diabetes medications, Onglyza is praised for its ability to help control blood sugar while not causing weight gain. In 2012, Onglyza had sales of $709 million dollars, with analysts predicting that it will increase to $2.47 billion by 2018.

Onglyza Side Effects

Onglyza has been linked with a number of serious conditions believed to be serious side effects from use of the drug. Two of these conditions include pancreatic cancer and heart failure, with the FDA releasing an official warning for heart failure in April 2015.

The risk of thyroid cancer is speculated to also be a Onglyza side effect due to numerous adverse event reports to the FDA, and researchers are continuing to study the association.

Onglyza was released in 2009 and incretin mimetics have only been on the market since 2006, resulting in little information available regarding long-term side effects like thyroid cancer.

In the same year that Onglyza was released, the FDA asked Amylin Pharmaceuticals to investigate the potential link of thyroid cancer and another incretin mimetic Byetta.

While this study is still ongoing, Gastroenterology had published a study in 2011 that had observed thyroid cancer occurrences being reported to the FDA by patients taking diabetes drugs Byetta and Januvia. The possible association between treatment medications for diabetes and thyroid cancer has been a prevalent concern for several years and continues to be investigated.

It is important to note that this deadly cancer takes many years to develop, and is difficult to diagnose in early stages. Patients who are taking Onglyza are encouraged to be vigilant for any signs of thyroid cancer, for the malignant lumps can be removed if diagnosed early enough and offer a more favorable prognosis.

Early symptoms of thyroid cancer include: swelling on the neck, change in  voice, hoarseness, unexplained coughing, trouble breathing and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.

 Onglyza Lawsuit Information

Individuals who have filed pharmaceutical drug lawsuits following a variety of side effects claim that they were not adequately warned against the drug’s complications and would not have used the drug otherwise. Such Onglyza lawsuits filed often seek compensation for medical bills, and other possible damages.

Patients who developed adverse Onglyza side effects are encouraged to take advantage a free case review to determine their options for seeking legal action.