Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP face an Onglyza heart problems lawsuit filed by a couple alleging that the type-2 diabetes drug caused severe adverse effects and complications.

Plaintiffs James and Joy B. file the Onglyza heart problems lawsuit in New York federal court. The lawsuit was filed on April 2, 2018.

According to the Onglya heart problems lawsuit, James says that he began ingesting Onglyza from approximately Oct. 8, 2013, to May 5, 2017. However, as a result of the drug he says he “developed serious and/or permanent adverse effects, namely congestive heart failure on or about March 23, 2017, which resulted in hospitalization and extensive treatment.”

According to the Onglyza heart problems lawsuit, additional injuries included “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.”

James says that had his physicians known of the increased risks associated with Onglyza, they would not have prescribed James the medication and would have changed James’ treatment plan. Had they also known of the relevant side effects associated with the medication, James says they would have discussed the “true risks of heart failure, congestive heart failure, cardiac failure, and death related to those events, and other serious adverse events” with James.

Due to James’ injuries, Joy states that she’s been deprived of James’ “companionship, services, solace, consortium, affection and attention.” The Onglyza heart problems lawsuit was filed on multiple counts including negligence, design defect, failure to warn, breach of implied warranty, breach of express warranty, and loss of consortium.

Plaintiffs demands a trial by jury.

Overview: Onglyza Heart Problems

Onlgyza (saxagliptin), a type-2 diabetes medication, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009. The drug, manufactured by Bristol Myers-Squibb, contains an active known ingredient known as saxagliptin. Saxagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor that breaks down the hormone GLP-1 which becomes released to help with the breakdown of food.

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

However, the main ingredient can impact heart health.

A safety announcement was released by the FDA in February 2014 reporting on Onglyza’s risks for developing heart failure. According to the report, “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.”

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

The Onglyza Heart Problems Lawsuit is Case No. 5:18-cv-00375-KKC, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.