In the latest diabetes news, a Chicago woman has filed an Onglyza lawsuit against the drug’s manufacturer, AstraZeneca, claiming that the type-2 diabetes drug caused the wrongful death of her mother.

The grieving daughter claims that the diabetes medication directly contributed to her mother’s death, and that AstraZeneca failed to properly warn her mother of Onglyza’s potentially dangerous side effects.

Filed on Oct. 29, 2015 in the Cook County Circuit Court, plaintiff Rochelle G. claims that her mother Lillie died of Onglyza heart failure after taking Onglyza for three years. Lillie was diagnosed with heart failure in 2011, and was hospitalized twice in the same year before she passed away in October 2013.

Overview of Onglyza Heart Failure

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Onglyza in July 2009 as part of a new class of type-2 diabetes treatment medications called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DDP-4) inhibitors.

Also called incretin mimetics, these drugs work by signaling the pancreas to make more insulin after a meal. This ultimately lowers blood sugar levels and prevents diabetic attacks.

At the time these drugs were developed, they were considered a breakthrough in diabetic treatment medications. Unfortunately, a number of patients reported suffering severe side effects after taking these medications, including Onglyza heart attack.

By early 2014, the FDA released a public safety announcement regarding Onglyza side effects. The warning addressed a clinical trial performed by AstraZeneca, which showed that Onglyza significantly increased the risk of heart failure. Further analysis of the results indicated that Onglyza increased the risk of heart failure by 27 percent.

Despite the criticism AstraZeneca has received over Onglyza heart failure, the company has shown no intention of slowing down. AstraZeneca submitted an application to the FDA for a new type-2 diabetes treatment drug. According to the company, the drug combines two popular type-2 diabetes treatment drugs: Onglyza and Farxiga.

The FDA rejected the proposed drug in October 2015. In the rejection letter, the FDA stated that it would need more clinical data before confirming it to be a safe drug. In the meantime, Onglyza continues to soar in popularity, with $391 million in sales reported in the first half of 2015.

Patients who have suffered adverse Onglyza side effects may be eligible for a product liability lawsuit against AstraZeneca. For more information, follow the latest diabetes news and consult with an experienced attorney.

The Onglyza Lawsuit is Case No. 2015-L-010969, in the Cook County Circuit Court.