Kombiglyze XR is a newer oral medication used to treat type-2 diabetes.

The diabetes medication contains metformin, a very popular oral diabetes drug, along with saxagliptin, the active ingredient in Onglyza, another diabetes drug.

Kombiglyze is in a class of drugs known as DPP-4 inhibitors. These drugs have become increasingly popular because they have proven effective in patients who were unable to have their diabetes controlled with other medications.

The drug has also been a popular choice because it does not cause hypoglycemia as a side effect like other type-2 diabetes medications do, and it does not cause as much weight gain.

However, as with any drug, Kombiglyze can have mild to serious side effects, and the risks and benefits should be weighed before taking it or any other drug.

Kombiglyze Side Effects

According to reviews on various websites, as well as reports submitted to the manufacturer and FDA, Kombiglyze has a number of side effects.

Patients have reported the following Kombiglyze side effects: increased sugar levels, body aches and pains, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, stomach upset, constipation, headaches, leg cramps, cough, dry mouth and tongue.

Some patients reported benefit, but the side effects were too much to handle for the benefit it provided.

Maureen M. states: “Recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Doc put me on 2.5 mg, with little results but side effects. Raised it to 5mg and I feel worse. I am using sample packs and insurance will not cover. I have noticed improvement in my sugar levels but I have felt worse now having started the pills. Nausea, soft stool, headache, dizzy. All of these and sugar reads only 152. Also, I don’t feel rested when I’m sleeping.”

Other patients reported fears of serious side effects that have been linked with Kombiglyze.

Gerry S. writes: “I was on this drug for 4 months and it until I found out my niece, who was on it for a little less than 2 years, developed pancreatic cancer in her early 40s with no family history of any cancer. I then came across a New York Times article (Google: Dr. Peter C. Butler New York Times) where they discussed many studies and warnings about this class of drugs and pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. I have since stopped taking this and working on diet, exercise and going back to humalog/humilin to get my sugars in check. Please research this drug fully before continuing or starting it!”

The FDA itself has posted warnings about Kombiglyze and heart failure and listed an update in April 2016 to its original warning in February 2014.

According to the FDA website, “An FDA safety review has found that type 2 diabetes medicines containing saxagliptin and alogliptin may increase the risk of heart failure, particularly in patients who already have heart or kidney disease. As a result, FDA is adding new warnings to the drug labels about this safety issue.”

The safety warning was a result of studies looking at patients who took the drug versus a placebo. Those with a prior history of heart failure and kidney impairment were at the greatest risk.

Filing a Kombiglyze Side Effects Lawsuit

If you have developed heart failure or pancreatic cancer as a result of using Kombiglyze XR, you may be entitled to legal compensation. A Kombiglyze attorney can review your case for free and can help guide you in understanding your legal options.