A diabetes study indicates that taking an incretin mimetic drug like Onglyza to treat diabetes may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

In a study published by the medical journal Diabetes, researchers found that incretin mimetic users showed evidence of precancerous cells as well as an overall increase of pancreatic mass.

Researchers analyzed the pancreases of deceased patients including eight who were diabetics taking an incretin mimetic medication, 12 who were diabetics taking another form of medication, and 14 who were not diabetic patients.

After dissecting the pancreases, researchers found that those diabetic patients taking an incretin mimetic medication had a 40 percent larger pancreas than those in the other groups. They also found pre-cancerous cell growth in the pancreas including small, benign tumors.

Pancreatic tumors can become malignant if not removed which can lead to pancreatic cancer. However, patients who undergo surgery to remove pancreatic tumors or tissues often face other health complications including a life-long need for insulin injections.

This Onglyza study, along with other “unpublished findings,” prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to further investigate the link between link between incretin mimetic and pancreatitis.

Onglyza Pancreatic Cancer

According to The American Cancer Society, each year nearly 49,000 individuals are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, while about 40,500 die from this particular cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is almost never diagnosed early as initially the medical condition does not produce symptoms. However, Onglyza patients should watch out for the following advanced pancreatic cancer symptoms including:

• Dark Urine
• Abdomen pain
• Jaundice
• Loss of appetite
• Unexpected weight loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Floating, smelly stools

Pancreatic cancer has a two percent survival rate after five-years of diagnosis, according to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

In addition to pancreatic cancer, John Hopkins researchers have reported that type-2 diabetic patients hospitalized for pancreatitis were twice as likely to be taking an incretin mimetic drug like Onglyza versus another diabetes medication.

Onglyza Complications

Other Onglyza side effects include an increased risk of heart failure and according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers followed nearly 16,500 type-2 diabetes patients for two years and found that those taking Onglyza (saxagliptin) had an increased chance of being hospitalized for heart failure complications.

An FDA advisory committee voted that Onglyza’s drug label should be updated to include the risk of heart failure. The 15 panelists voted 14-1 in recommendation for the heart failure caution, with one panel member voting to remove the drug from the U.S. market entirely.

While the company is not legally required to follow the recommendations of the expert advisory committee, they usually take their findings into consideration before making a final decision.

 Onglyza Lawsuits

Due to the increase in research outcomes that suggest Onglyza side effects may be more serious than drug makers warned about, diabetic patients may be considering filing lawsuits against manufacturers AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb for failing to adequately warn.

Filing an Onglyza lawsuit may help financially compensate patients for the costs of medical treatments or procedures, pain and suffering as well as loss of income. Contact an Onglyza lawyer to find out if you have legal claim.