Though the type-2 diabetes drug Onglyza has become increasingly popular since its FDA approval in 2009, it has unfortunately been linked with some serious complications, including heart failure. If you take or have taken Onglyza, it is important to be on the lookout for symptoms of heart failure.

More and more patients are filing lawsuits over Onglyza side effects, some of which have led to serious injuries or, in the worst cases, death. One man recently filed a lawsuit after his wife’s death, alleging her symptoms of heart failure and, ultimately, her death, were caused by exposure to Onglyza.

The plaintiff, Alabama resident Jeffery B., filed his lawsuit after his wife Nancie died because of heart failure. According to the lawsuit, Nancie ingested saxagliptin (Onglyza) from December 2014 to June 2016 in order to treat her type-2 diabetes. According to the lawsuit, Nancie had not been warned about the risks associated with saxagliptin medication, and did not warn her to look out for potential problems like symptoms of heart failure.

Jeffery filed the lawsuit on April 5, 2018, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. The lawsuit was filed on multiple counts, including design defect, negligence, failure to warn, and breach of express and implied warranties.

Background of Onglyza

Onglyza (also known by its generic name, saxagliptin) is jointly manufactured by pharmaceutical giants AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb. It is a relatively new drug, and was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009 as a treatment for type 2 diabetes.

Onglyza is part of a class of diabetes drugs known as incretin mimetics. Incretin mimetics stimulate the release of insulin, meant to help regulate a patient’s blood sugar level.

Heart Failure from Onglyza

Unfortunately, Onglyza has been linked with serious side effects, including heart failure. Patients claim that they were not given adequate warning about some of the most major side effects of Onglyza, and may not be aware that they should be wary of symptoms of heart failure.

Heart failure is a serious and life-threatening medical condition in which the heart becomes so weak that it cannot adequately pump blood throughout the body. High blood pressure or coronary artery disease can eventually lead to heart failure by gradually weakening the heart. Symptoms of heart failure to look out for include, but are not limited to:

• shortness of breath from regular activities
• breathing difficulty while laying down
• weakness or fatigue
• weight gain
• swelling in the legs, feet, ankles, or stomach

Those who survive heart failure usually have to make significant changes to their daily life, such as changes to diet, exercise, and stress in order to reduce their risk of further complications.

The FDA warned Onglyza manufacturers in April 2015 about the increased risk of heart failure and asked the company to update Onglyza’s warning label.

Filing an Onglyza Lawsuit

A growing number of diabetes patients are coming forward, alleging that Onglyza directly led to major side effects, including heart failure. Some patients choose to file lawsuits Onglyza against its manufacturers, AstraZeneca and Bristol-Meyers Squibb, for failing to adequately warn and inform the medical community and consumers of potential heightened risk factors of their drug.

If you or someone you love has suffered from heart failure or other serious side effects of Onglyza, you may be able to take legal action. Filing an Onglyza lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by side effects of Onglyza, or bring a loved one back to life, but it can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages.

The Onglyza Heart Failure Lawsuit is Case No. 5:18-cv-00390-KKC, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma.