The popular diabetes drug Onglyza has, unfortunately, been linked with a number of serious complications. A recent Onglyza heart failure study showed a link between the type 2 diabetes medication and an increased risk of hospitalization from heart failure.

More and more patients are coming forward with their own allegations of side effects after using Onglyza, including congestive heart failure, cardiac failure, or even death. In response, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration—which approved the drug back in 2009—has required that the drug’s manufacturers update the warning label to properly reflect this risk.

Some patients claim that they were not adequately warned about the risk they faced of significant Onglyza side effects that the Onglyza heart failure study revealed.

Basics of Onglyza

Onglyza (also known by its generic name, saxagliptin) is manufactured jointly 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.

For many, Onglyza can seem like an attractive option. Indeed, unlike many diabetes drugs, Onglyza is not attached to weight gain. However, the risks Onglyza is actually associated with may be much more severe than simple weight gain—and, in fact, may even be life-threatening.

The Onglyza Heart Failure Study

Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca funded an Onglyza heart failure study into the risks of this medication. The Onglyza heart failure study found that saxagliptin medication, along with Kombiglyze XR, were associated with a higher rate of hospitalizations related to heart failure complications.

The study, known as SAVOR, was published in the New England Journal of Medicine back in 2013. The Onglyza heart failure study looked at 16,492 patients diagnosed with type-2 diabetes.

Researchers found that those who took Onglyza were slightly more at risk of being hospitalized for heart failure than patients in the study who took other diabetes mediations. Though the Onglyza heart failure study showed just a slightly increased risk, the study has raised concerns for experts who think the link needs further investigation.

In response, an advisory committee pushed the FDA to require the manufacturers to include Onglyza heart failure risk on the drug’s label in April 2015.

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 over side effects of Onglyza against the 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.