Onglyza (saxagliptin) is a popular drug prescribed by physicians to treat type-2 Diabetes.

Despite only being on the market for five years, this pharmaceutical drug was quickly seen to have dramatic and fast-working effects on lowering blood sugar levels, especially when coupled with diet and exercise.

Onglyza has been effective in lowering blood sugar in patients where other oral diabetes medications failed. Additionally, physicians liked that there was not the risk of additional weight gain with this saxagliptin drug, nor was the worry of hypoglycemia as a side effect.

To many health professionals, this drug seemed like a miracle cure; however, over the past few years certain Onglyza complications have come to life.

Onglyza Side Effects

While many physicians have reported favorable outcomes and patients have experienced success using Onglyza, it does not lack serious side effects. Any medication has common side effects, and for Onglyza those include:

• Upper respiratory infections
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Nausea/vomiting
• Mild skin rash and itching
• Cough
• Abdominal pain/diarrhea
• Fluid retention

Doctors feel that relative to the inconvenient side effects risk, the benefit to a patient’s overall health usually outweighs the risk of side effects experienced with the type 2 diabetes drug.

While less common, severe side effects do occur with Onglyza as well. The FDA issued a drug warning in April 2015, reporting an increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure for patients using Onglyza. The risk of patients on Onglyza was 27 percent greater than for those who did not take Onglyza.

Pancreatic Cancer Risks

Because Onglyza affects the pancreas indirectly by altering the amount of insulin secreted, it is an organ of concern when discussing severe Onglyza side effects. Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, has been associated with Onglyza use. Pancreatitis can be serious and is sometimes fatal.

While the FDA has not issued any warnings about the risk of pancreatic cancer associated with Onglyza use, patients and physicians alike have noticed this alleged link.

Recently, Onglyza pancreatic cancer studies undertaken that showed changes in the pancreas in rats that were monitored after being exposed to saxagliptin. Another study noticed an increase in precancerous tumors in organ donors who had used GLP-inhibitors.

The FDA and European Medicines Agency did review data on the link to DPP-4 inhibitors and pancreatic cancer. While the agencies did not reach a final conclusion, they stated the data they reviewed did not indicate a causal relationship. They did agree pancreatitis was a risk, but did not confirm a pancreatic cancer link.

Pancreatic cancer is very serious as it is one of the most deadly forms of cancer. It is usually not diagnosed until it has progressed to a later stage because the symptoms are non-specific. Once pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, patients only have a 5% chance of living for an additional five years beyond the diagnosis.

Onglyza Lawsuit Information

Many patients and their families have filed lawsuits against the makers of Onglyza for allegedly causing them to develop pancreatic cancer.

If you or a loved one has taken Onglyza for Type 2 Diabetes and suffered from pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis or heart failure, you may have a legal claim. A knowledgeable Onglyza lawyer is available to review your situation and provide guidance in a free consultation.