Kombiglyze XR is a popular and widely used drug for those who suffer from type-2 diabetes. However, because of reports of serious side effects, many patients have opted to file a Kombiglyze lawsuit against the makers of the drug, AstraZeneca.

Kombiglyze XR, a combination of saxagliptin and metformin HCI extended release, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2010. It was approved to help control high blood sugar, but should not be used for those patients who are already prone to experience diabetic ketoacidosis.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a condition in which ketones are present in the blood and urine in increased quantities. It is also one of the alleged side effects of taking Kombliglyze.

If a patient experiences severe side effects from this type 2-diabetes drug, he or she may be eligible to file a Kombiglyze lawsuit.

Kombiglzye Basics

The active medication in Kombiglyze XR is saxagliptin. Saxagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor. DPP-4 works to break down GLP-1 in the body, a hormone released after eating that tells the pancreas to make insulin.

A patient with diabetes does not have enough GLP-1, so the body does not make enough insulin. To combat this, the body of a type-2 diabetes patient has too much sugar in the blood. Saxagliptin breaks down DPP-4 which allows the GLP-1 to work better in the body.

In addition to breaking down the DPP-4, Kombiglyze XR also contains an element, metformin, that reduces blood sugar further. Metformin increases the amount of insulin produced after meals, it increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin, it reduces liver sugar and it decreases the amount of sugar that the gut absorbs.

Onglyza, another type-2 diabetes drug, is very similar to Kombiglyze. Onglyza is saxagliptin, while Kombiglyze is saxagliptin and metformin combined. Thus, the warnings and side effects that are true for Onglyza are also true for Kombiglyze XR.

Those who suffer from Kombiglyze XR side effects that are life-threatening in nature may be able to file an Kombiglyze lawsuit.

Kombiglyze XR Side Effects

Two studies in particular have connected saxagliptin with heart failure. Both the SAVOR study and the EXAMINE study showed an increase in heart failure for those who took saxagliptin, the main ingredient in both Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR.

SAVOR looked at 16,500 saxagliptin patients. The researchers found that in that group, there was a 27% increased rate of hospitalization due to heart failure. Additionally, the EXAMINE study found that 3.9% of the 5,000 saxagliptin patients they studied were hospitalized for heart failure. This is compared with only 3.3% of the population that took a placebo.

Other serious side effects connected with Kombiglyze XR include pancreatitis and lactic acidosis.

Filing a Kombiglyze Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has been affected by Kombiglyze XR negative side effects like heart failure, you may be eligible to file a Kombiglyze lawsuit. Even though filing a Kombiglyze lawsuit may not take away the pain and suffering from adverse side effects, it may help to alleviate the financial burden of lost wages and medical costs.