In recent years, patients and the medical community have become increasingly more cautions of some diabetes drugs that are currently on the market, particularly because of the side effects that have been linked to some of them.

Diabetes drug lawsuits alleging complications caused by Actos, Januvia, and Janumet have been filed in courts around the country. Additionally, however, patients who have been prescribed Onglyza may also have cause for concern due to reports of heart failure and saxagliptin use.

Onglyza, generically known as saxagliptin, is prescribed and taken to treat type-2 diabetes and is usually taken along with implementing a proper diet and exercise, which helps control blood sugar levels.

According to reports, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, has raised some precautions converting two dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. One drug is Ongylza, also known as saxagliptin, and is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca, and the other is Nesina, also known as algoliptin, manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

According to the report, there have been concerns over the association and increased risk of heart failure and saxagliptin.

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s requirements. It can be the result of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or coronary artery disease.

The report maintains that a panel of the Endocrinology and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee had voted to update saxagliptin’s warning label indicating its heart failure and saxagliptin risk. Fourteen of the fifteen panelists approved to update the label while one panelist advised to remove the drug completely from U.S. markets.

In addition to heart failure and saxagliptin, the panelists also advised that they wanted to add information regarding the potential of death risks with saxagliptin.

According to the report, the FDA had asked saxagliptin’s manufacturers, Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca, to demonstrate that heart failure and saxagliptin increased risk is not 30% or more. The manufacturers conducted the study comprising more than 16,492 people with type-2 diabetes and who possessed risks of cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular disease.

Accordingly, of the 16,492 participants, 1,222 had reported adverse cardiovascular effects or events, but provided it was less than 30% of the mandatory threshold.

However, the report indicates that there is a 27% increase in the rate of hospitalization for heart failure, and that in addition to an association of heart failure and saxagliptin, there is an increased risk for death overall, according to FDA panelists advising about this class of diabetes medication.

According to reports, patients should consult their doctors immediately if they suffer from the following side effects: severe or ongoing pain in the joints; pain or burning when urinating; heart problems such as shortness of breath, feel tired or weak, rapid weight gain, swelling in the body’s lower extremity such as the feet, legs, and even midsection.