Bristol Myers Squibb is facing a new Onglyza lawsuit, alleging the claimant developed congestive heart failure due to the adverse side effects of Onglyza, a diabetes medication.

This Onglyza lawsuit was filed by a woman from Texas, who says she had been prescribed the type-2 diabetes medication for typical treatment purposes but had suffered serious adverse side effects of Onglyza instead. Plaintiff Marian R. alleges her medical condition was compounded by the side effects of Onglyza, including congestive heart failure.

Onglyza (saxagliptin) is part of the incretin mimetic drug family, which works by signaling the pancreas to produce more insulin to ensure healthy blood sugar levels.

Insulin is a vital part of the body’s metabolic system, with the blood becoming very acidic without it. Without insulin, the body is forced to metabolize fat instead of sugar and can create a buildup of ketones or blood acids.

This can lead to the development of diabetic ketoacidosis and potential kidney failure, which can be life threatening if not treated. Onglyza was supposed to help prevent this outcome, and help patients like Marian live a normal lifestyle.

With these benefits in mind, Marian says she agreed to Onglyza drug treatment and started taking the medication on Nov. 9, 2016. However, Marian says she developed serious injuries due to the adverse side effects of Onglyza and had to receive serious medical treatment. She says she stopped using the diabetes medication on Feb. 28, 2018.

According to the Onglyza lawsuit, Marian had developed congestive heart failure during the short course of her prescription regimen and has been contending with the condition ever since.

Marian says she opted to file legal action against Bristol Myers Squibb, after discovering other patients allegedly developed cardiac complications due to the adverse side effects of Onglyza.

Overview of Side Effects of Onglyza

Onglyza was approved by the FDA in July 2009 as a type-2 diabetes treatment medication. The drug is supposed to be used in conjunction with diet and exercise.

With this combination, Onglyza is used to help control high blood sugar in adult type-2 diabetes patients. However, congestive heart failure has become associated with the adverse side effects of Onglyza.

Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals recently funded a study consisting of type-2 diabetes patients who were prescribed saxagliptin and other medications. This study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2013.

The study consisted of 16,492 patients that were prescribed different type-2 diabetes medications. Researchers reported finding that saxagliptin patients faced an increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure, compared to patients prescribed other type-2 diabetes medications. Even though congestive heart failure can potentially be fatal to patients, Bristol-Myers Squibb allegedly failed to disclose this information to the general public.

During all times relevant, Marian says she and her physician had allegedly relied on the product information and marketing materials provided by the company. Marian states she would not have agreed to take the type-2 diabetes medication, if she had known that congestive heart failure was allegedly linked to the adverse side effects of Onglyza.

Marian is seeking a multitude of damages against the company including counts of negligence and failure to warn.

This Onglyza Lawsuit is Case 6:18-cv-00463-RWS, in the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division.