Onglyza (saxagliptin) is a popular oral medication used to treat type-2 diabetes. However, while Onglyza has proven to be helpful for many patients who had uncontrolled diabetes, it is not without risk.

Many oral diabetes medications for type-2 diabetes work on balancing the insulin-glucose mechanisms in the body. The medications assist in the secretion of more insulin from the pancreas, or decrease the amount of glucose supplied by the liver. They also have a number of drug-related side effects.

Incretin hormones are more active when there are high blood sugar levels and less active in response to lower blood sugar levels. Where other medications have a more overall response to lowering blood sugar, sometimes leading to hypoglycemia, Onglyza does not.

Because the body’s incretin levels fluctuate, Onglyza is more supportive of the body’s natural processes and ebb and flow of glucose levels, so the medication does not tend to drive blood sugar too low. The drug works by way of a different mechanism than other diabetes drugs.

Onglyza and Heart Problems

Onglyza is a DPP-4 inhibitor. DPP-4 is an enzyme in the body whose job is to degrade incretin hormones. By inhibiting DPP-4, the amount of incretin hormones is then increased in the body. This causes insulin to be more selectively secreted after meals and decreases the glucogenesis (blood-sugar stabilizing) rate in the liver.

Onglyza, however, impacts more than the liver. The medication carries a “black box warning” on its label indicating a link between Onglyza and heart failure. A black box warning is reserved for the most severe side effects a medication can have.

Heart failure is not the same as a heart attack, but the complications arising from heart failure may include a heart attack. Heart failure is a condition where the body cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. The heart is too weak to pump a sufficient amount of blood to keep the body working optimally.

Several heart-related complications can arise from heart failure. Thromboembolism is a common complication leading the body to produce blood clots. Blood clots often form in the deep vein of the lower leg or pelvis, creating a condition known as deep venous thrombosis, or DVT.

When a blood clot forms in a vein, the clot can be carried back to the heart and lungs where it can cause severe damage. While DVT is not directly responsible for causing a heart attack, a 2007 article in the journal Lancet found that when blood clots are found in deep veins, they can follow years later in arteries, where it can cause heart attacks and strokes.

Heart arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeat, can also be the result of heart failure. Different types of irregular heartbeats may develop, including atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, left bundle branch block, and ventricular fibrillation. These conditions are all related to an increased risk of developing a stroke. They can also be one of the causes of heart attack.

Other Onglyza Risks

Onglyza may be associated with other significant issues including pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, a small gland behind the stomach which assists in digestion. If the pancreas becomes inflamed, it can be deadly if left untreated. Symptoms of the condition may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and other digestive problems.

Unfortunately, taking Onglyza may increase the risk of developing pancreatitis. A 2014 study published in Diabetes Care showed that patients were more likely to develop the condition while taking Onglyza when compared to a placebo group.

Onglyza Lawsuit Information

If you or a loved one suffered from a heart attack or other serious complication as a result of taking Onglyza, you may have a legal claim. Attorneys are available to review your case at no charge and can help you decide if filing an Onglyza lawsuit is right for you.