The diabetes drug known as Onglyza has been connected with the risk of heart failure in recent reports.

There are number of possible heart failure causes, but if you have taken type 2 diabetes medications such as Onglyza before developing heart failure, there may be a link.

An increasing number of diabetes patients who have suffered from heart failure have linked their suffering to Onglyza.

Onglyza Background

Onglyza (saxagliptin) is a diabetes drug manufactured by AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb, and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009.

Onglyza was created to treat type 2 diabetes, and is part of a new class of type 2 diabetes medications known as incretin mimetics.

Incretin mimetics mimic the creation of the body’s natural incretin hormones, which in turn release insulin and help control a diabetic patient’s blood sugar level. The regulation of blood sugar levels for diabetes patients is an essential aspect of a diabetic patient’s health.

For many diabetes patients, one of Onglyza’s most attractive features as a diabetes drug is the fact that, unlike most alternatives, it does not encourage weight gain in patients. This has led to Onglyza sales steadily increasing, and Onglyza usage is widespread across the country.

AstraZeneca and Bristol Meyers Squibb have previously been warned by the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to add stronger warnings about Onglyza’s potentially increased risk of heart failure.

This FDA warning comes after a review of clinical trials suggesting that those who use Onglyza to combat diabetes are at higher risk of heart failure hospitalization than others, as well as at a higher risk of mortality from all causes.

A study funded by Onglyza manufacturers, known to the medical community as the SAVOR study, evaluated 16,492 type 2 diabetes patients. The study found that patients who took Onglyza were hospitalized due to heart failure at a slightly higher rate than those who did not use Onglyza, and used other type 2 diabetes medications instead.

Heart failure is a serious and potentially 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.

Heart attack is not the same as heart failure, though the two are often used interchangeably. However, heart failure may lead to other cardiovascular conditions that may trigger a heart attack. A heart attack causes the heart tissue to die because it is no longer being supplied the blood it needs. Atrial fibrillation is one such issue related to hearth failure that can be one of several heart attack causes.

Even if a patient survives heart failure, they are typically forced to make significant changes to their daily life. These kinds of permanent changes may include improving their diet, reducing their level of salt intake, exercising, losing weight, and/or managing stress more effectively. All of these things can reduce the risk of further complications.

The SAVOR study did find that patients who took Onglyza were hospitalized at a higher rate, but this increase was not considered to be statistically significant. Nevertheless, some experts believe that this study has shown Onglyza as one of many potential heart attack causes through its link to heart failure, and deserves further investigation.

Some diabetes patients have come forward, alleging that Onglyza directly led to major side effects, including Onglyza heart failure. An increasing number of patients are considering filing Onglyza heart failure lawsuits against the Onglyza 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.

Injured parties may choose to file Onglyza heart failure lawsuits. If you or someone you know has suffered from heart failure after using Onglyza, you may be able to file an Onglyza heart failure lawsuit.