The diabetes management drug Onglyza (saxagliptin) has been linked to a number of complications, with heart failure being one of the most prominent.

According to a recent lawsuit filed by Rochelle G., she claimed Onglyza had directly caused her mother’s death. Rochelle stated that her late mother, Lillie G., was prescribed Onglyza to treat her type-2 diabetes in 2010. However, suffered from heart failure beginning in 2011 and was reportedly hospitalized twice before her death in October 2013.

Rochelle is filing her lawsuit against Onglyza’s manufacturer, AstraZeneca, and has requested a trial by jury in seeking over $50,000 in damages. Rochelle’s mother is one of numerous patients who have reportedly suffered heart failure from the diabetes management drug.

According to an FDA public warning in April 2015, Onglyza side effects could increase the risk of hospitalization for heart failure. This warning came after a study analyzed 16,000 patients, which indicated a 27 percent increased risk of heart failure hospitalizations for Onglyza patients.

Even though researchers found increased rates of heart failure, Onglyza use did not directly indicate any increased risk for heart attack. Heart failure occurs when the heart isn’t pumping at a rate that than the body needs, which causes the body to have difficulty receiving oxygen and nutrients. When the blood flow becomes too slow the fluids can buildup throughout the body, which leads to congestive heart failure.

Oftentimes, patients have a previous cardiac condition when diagnosed with heart failure, with physicians recommending changes in diet and exercise to lower the chances of heart related problems. Currently it is not known how Onglyza side effects could be a cause of heart failure, but the number of patient reports has incited concern in the medical community.

According Dr. Anthony DeMaria, editor in chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the advice he shared with  Reuters was that he recommended that Onglyza not be prescribed to patients at risk for heart failure.

Cause of Heart Attack vs. Cause of Heart Failure

While they may be used interchangeably by people, heart attack and heart failure are two different conditions. Also, the cause of heart attack and cause of heart failure result from different issues.

A heart attack is caused by a blockage in the vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to the heart. Blockages are caused by fat, cholesterol and other substances blocking the blood vessels. Together, these blockages are called plaque.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to the cause of heart attack by causing plaque build-up. Lifestyle factors are a common risk factor, which can often include such things as obesity, poor nutrition and low levels of activity.

Heart failure, while it sounds like the heart isn’t working or stops working, is not the cause of heart failure. Heart failure is when the heart is working insufficiently to meet up with the body’s demands.

Coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and previous heart attack can lead to heart failure. So, Heart attack, then could be a cause of heart failure, but heart failure is not a cause of heart attack.

Though Onglyza may not be a direct cause of heart attack, it still affects the cardiovascular system and can lead to hospitalization and death like heart attack.

To answer the question “Can Onglyza cause heart attack?” the current answer is that there is no evidence to support this statement. But certainly Onglyza can cause heart failure, and that condition is very serious and can cause serious complications and death, so it is a matter to take seriously.

Overview of Onglyza Heart Failure

Onglyza was approved by the FDA in 2009, and quickly became a popular diabetes management drug for type-2 patients. This drug quickly became well known in the patient population, due to its ability to lower blood sugar levels without causing the patient to gain weight.

Onglyza works by signaling the pancreas to increase insulin production, and prevent the liver from making too much sugar. Even through the FDA warned that heart failure could be an Onglyza side effect in 2015, the FDA was concerned of this correlation since 2008.

At that time, the agency stated that companies that manufactured new type-2 diabetes management drugs “should conduct a more thorough examination of their drugs’ cardiovascular risks during the product’s development stage.”

Allegations assert that AstraZeneca did not explore the long term Onglyza side effects until after the diabetes management drug was released, leaving many patients to wonder if their treatment drug could be a contributing cause of heart failure. Patients who may have developed Onglyza heart failure may be eligible to file legal action against AstraZeneca.