A popular medication used to treat type-2 diabetes comes with a number of serious side effects that may potentially be worse than the condition it attempts to treat. Kombiglyze adverse side effects may even be fatal for some patients.

Kombiglyze is part of a class of drugs known as DPP-4 inhibitors. Oral diabetes medications that belong to this class have been held in high esteem by physicians who have seen radical changes in patients who were not helped by other treatment methods and for those who had undesirable side effects with other medications.

In particular, the DPP-4 inhibitors are effective in controlling blood sugar and do not cause the body to go hypoglycemic like other diabetic medications do. This allows patients to have more stable blood sugar levels without swinging into a low blood sugar state.

In addition to Kombiglyze and other DPP-4 inhibitors being effective at stabilizing blood sugar without causing low blood sugar, the drugs also do not cause weight gain like many other oral diabetes drugs do.

These medications assist the pancreas in secreting additional insulin after an individual eats and stops glucose production in the liver.

Kombiglyze Adverse Side Effects

Kombiglyze consists of two main drugs compounded into a single pill. Onglyza, generically known as saxagliptin, is included with metformin, another drug that is very popular for treating diabetes.

As with any prescription drug, Kombiglyze comes with a number of side effects that can be anticipated with its use. These side effects range from mild to severe; some patients may experience no side effects at all.

Mild to moderate Kombiglyze adverse side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, headache, upper respiratory infections, runny or stuffy nose, fluid retention, swelling and urinary tract infections. Many of the side effects are time-limited and go away as the body adjusts to the drug.

However, there are serious Kombiglyze adverse side effects that can lead to long-term damage or even death. In particular, four main conditions have been identified as serious Kombiglyze adverse side effects. These include the following:

• Thyroid cancer – Other medications with a similar chemical profile to Kombiglyze were linked with an increased risk in developing fibroid cancer, and it is suspected that Kombiglyze may cause an increase thyroid cancer risk as well.
• Pancreatitis– Inflammation of the pancreas has been linked with Kombiglyze use. It is suspected that because the pancreatic cells are stimulated by the drug, changes in the pancreas can ensue, including inflammation of the organ.
• Pancreatic Cancer – Along the same lines of thinking that the pancreas may suffer from changes due to the organ’s stimulation by Kombiglyze, it is suspected that pancreatic cancer is developed in much the same way. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest types of cancer due to its rapid progression and poor response to treatment.
• Heart Failure – Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to keep up with the body’s demands for blood and oxygen. This condition is often confused with a heart attack but is a different condition altogether.

In April 2016, the FDA issued a warning about Kombiglyze and heart failure stating that the drug may increase the risk of heart failure, and this risk was particularly present in patients who had previously been diagnosed with kidney disease or heart disease.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious Kombiglyze adverse side effects such as heart failure, thyroid cancer, pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer, you may be able to seek legal compensation from the drug manufacturer.

Plaintiffs who go onto successfully file lawsuits against drug manufacturers may be awarded damages related to medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of spousal companionship, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and more.

An attorney familiar with the issues surrounding Kombiglyze adverse side effects can review your case in a free consultation and can provide you with guidance as you consider taking legal action.