Onglyza, a popular diabetes medication, may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, according to recent studies.

Onglyza (saxagliptin) was developed by AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb, and was approved for the treatment of diabetes in 2009 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Onglyza works against type-2 diabetes by controlling blood sugar. Onglyza is part of a class of drugs known as incretin mimetics, which work by mimicking the body’s natural incretin hormones and stimulating insulin release after eating.

Despite its success, recent studies of Onglyza suggest the drug may carry serious complications. Onglyza has been associated with a heightened risk of pancreatitis, thyroid cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

Onglyza Pancreatic Cancer

Onglyza pancreatic cancer is widely considered to be the most dangerous side effect of Onglyza and other incretin-based drugs. Thousands of Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year.

Onglyza pancreatic cancer is generally not diagnosed until it has already reached its later and more dangerous stages. At this point, it is more difficult to treat and has a much higher fatality rate.

An incretin mimetic study published in the Diabetes Medical Journal found that diabetic patients who took an incretin mimetic drug had pancreases 40 percent larger than usual. The study also showed that patients taking an Onglyza or a similar drug had precancerous cell growth and tumors within the pancreas.

The FDA has become aware of the potential connection between Onglyza and these dangerous side effects. In 2015, the FDA warned AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb that Onglyza should be labeled with a warning that indicates an increased risk of heart failure.

A recent study, which the FDA referenced in its warning, showed that patients who took Onglyza were 27 percent more likely to suffer from heart failure than those who did not take Onglyza.

Onglyza Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuits

Patients who have taken incretin-based drugs and subsequently suffered serious side effects, such as Onglyza pancreatic cancer, have responded by filing Onglyza pancreatic cancer lawsuits.

These lawsuits allege that Onglyza’s manufacturers failed to adequately warn about the heightened risk of cancer and other side effects associated with the drug.

While there is no definitive link between incretin-based drugs like Onglyza and the onset of pancreatic cancer, the FDA does not require links to be definitive before adding warning labels.

Onglyza pancreatic cancer lawsuits claim that the drug’s manufacturers should have included a warning for Onglyza pancreatic cancer on its warning label, given the existence of studies and reports linking the drug to these serious side effects.

Many patients are filing Onglyza pancreatic cancer lawsuits in an attempt to gain compensation for medical, financial, and emotional losses. If you or someone you know has suffered from heart failure, pancreatitis, cancer, or other serious side effects after using Onglyza, you may be able to take legal action.