Onglyza, a popular diabetes medication, has been linked to a heightened risk of thyroid cancer, among other serious and potentially fatal side effects.

Onglyza (saxagliptin) is a member of the incretin mimetic family of diabetes drugs which help regulate blood sugar levels by promoting the production of insulin in the pancreas. A number of studies and multiple adverse event reports filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have linked Onglyza and other incretin mimetics to a heightened risk of thyroid cancer.

Onglyza is a once-daily type-2 diabetes drug developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and approved by the FDA in 2009. Onglyza belongs to a new class of diabetes medications called “incretin mimetics,” which have only been on the market since 2006.

Because Onglyza and similar drugs are so new, there is very little information regarding long-term side effects like thyroid cancer, a slow-growing cancer that can take many years to develop.

The FDA has has received dozens of reports of thyroid cancer among patients who were taking a drug in the incretin mimetic class — especially Byetta (exenatide), Januvia (sitagliptin), and Victoza (liraglutide). These drugs treat type-2 diabetes in a very similar way as Onglyza — all of them influence metabolic hormones that regulate blood-sugar.

Although the reports do not prove that Onglyza causes thyroid cancer, it has led to increasing studies to examine the potential connection.

FDA Warnings for Diabetes Medications

In 2009, The FDA asked the makers of Januvia, a diabetes medication belonging to the same class of incretin mimetics as Onglyza, to investigate the potential risk of thyroid cancer associated with this drug. In 2011, the FDA published a safety communication after studies showed a higher rate of malignant thyroid tumors in rodents treated with another incretin mimetic, Victoza.

Yet another incretin mimetic, Byetta, has also been linked to a higher rate of thyroid cancer. Based on these findings and multiple FDA reports of patients developing thyroid cancer after taking incretin mimetics, more studies are being conducted to investigate the link between Onglyza and similar diabetes medications and thyroid cancer.

Thyroid Cancer Symptoms

Although researchers are still investigating whether Onglyza increases the risk of thyroid cancer, it is a good idea for patients who are taking Onglyza or another incretin mimetic drug to remain vigilant for symptoms of thyroid cancer including:

• Changes in voice
• Neck swelling
• Respiratory problems
• Difficulty swallowing
• Lymph nodes that are enlarged or painful
• Lumps or nodules on the lower front or center of the neck
• Coughing or hoarseness that are unexplained

Onglyza Lawsuits

Individuals who have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer or who have lost a loved one to thyroid cancer after using Onglyza or a similar diabetes medication may be entitled to substantial compensation for medical bills and other damages.

If you believe your thyroid cancer diagnosis may be related to Onglyza, you may qualify for an Onglyza lawsuit.