An Onglyza congestive heart failure lawsuit was recently filed against Bristol- Myers Squibb, the manufacturers of the type-2 diabetes drug, by a man alleging that he suffered severe adverse side effects and complications from ingesting Onglyza.

Plaintiff Victor H. files the Onglyza congestive heart failure lawsuit in New Jersey federal court. The lawsuit was filed on May 15, 2018.

According to the Onglyza congestive heart failure lawsuit, Victor, a resident and citizen of the state of Ohio, says that he began ingesting Onglyza from approximately December 2009 to May 2012. Some of the adverse side effects that have been associated with Onglyza have included heart failure, congestive heart failure, cardiac failure and death from heart failure, among other complications.

As a direct and proximate use of Onglyza, Victor allegedly developed serious and permanent congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease, the Onglyza congestive heart failure lawsuit states.

Victor claims he suffered “significant bodily and mental injuries, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, embarrassment, inconvenience, loss of earnings and earning capacity and have and will incur past and future medical expenses.”

The Onglyza congestive heart failure lawsuit was filed on multiple counts including design defect, negligence, failure to warn, breach of warranty and merchantability, breach of express warranty and breach of implied warranty.

Victor demands a trial by jury.

Overview: Onglyza Congestive Heart Failure

Onglyza is a type-2 diabetes medication sold and manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009.

Onglyza consists of an active ingredient known as saxagliptin. Described as a DPP-4 inhibitor, it is an enzyme that breaks down the hormone GLP-1, which becomes released into the bloodstream after the ingestion of food.

The hormone, GLP-1, signals insulin to be released from the pancreas. Onglyza functions to inhibit DPP-4 from breaking down GLP-1 thereby allowing it to stay in the body for a longer time period. This then allows the pancreas to create and release insulin after the body’s ingestion of food.

Although it is a popular diabetes medication that helps control elevated levels of blood sugar, there have been many serious adverse side effects associated with the medication and reported by the FDA, however.  The FDA and multiple studies have linked the medication to heart failure, pancreatitis and joint pain, among other side effects.

More serious adverse side effects of Onglyza, however, also included heart failure, inflammation of the pancreas, low blood sugar, joint pain, allergic reaction, skin reaction and allergic retention.

The FDA reported in a safety announcement in February 2014 of Onglyza’s risk of developing heart failure. According to the FDA, “a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety review has found that type 2 diabetes medicines containing saxagliptin and alogliptin may increase the risk of heart failure, particularly in patients who already have heart or kidney disease.”

According to the FDA’s report, doctors are advised to carefully monitor their patients and watch for any of these side effects and complications.

The Onglyza Congestive Heart Failure Lawsuit is Case No. 3:18-cv-09273-MAS-TJB, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.