Patients who are prescribed Onglyza (saxagliptin) are being warned against symptoms of heart failure after a recent study indicates the medication carries an increased risk.

Onglyza is prescribed to adult patients with type-2 diabetes, which makes the likelihood of symptoms of heart failure go up significantly. Heart failure occurs when the cardiac muscle does not pump as much blood as it should, with symptoms of heart failure including feeling faint or lightheaded.

Certain health conditions like coronary artery disease or high blood pressure, or other cardiac conditions involving weakening cardiac muscle increase the likelihood of this condition. Symptoms of heart failure include, but are not limited to:

• Shortness of breath from daily activities
• Breathing difficulties when laying down
• Fatigue or weakness
• Gaining weight
• Swelling in legs, feet, ankles, or stomach
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood colored phlegm

Patients who suffer heart failure are typically recommended for significant lifestyle changes, including a healthier diet and exercise regime.

Type-2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, which can cause a number of complications including heart and blood vessel disease, making patients vulnerable to symptoms of heart failure if prescribed medications linked to those problems.

The main ingredient of Onglyza, saxagliptin, is supposed to help patients maintain healthy blood sugar levels by triggering the pancreas to make more insulin. Insulin is one of the primary body chemicals responsible for metabolizing food and retrieving nutrients for the body.

However when the body stops producing adequate insulin levels, then the body is forced to metabolize fat instead of sugar and makes the blood very acidic. This can quickly cause a number of potentially fatal problems such as diabetic ketoacidosis and kidney failure.

Overview of Onglyza Heart Failure

Onglyza is part of the incretin mimetic drug family, which is a relatively new type of type-2 diabetes medications. Onglyza had gained popularity after Avandia was recalled for a significantly increased risk of cardiac death, which spurred major concern form the medical community.

Onglyza was approved by the FDA in 2009 and has been prescribed to numerous patients who are now being warned against potential symptoms of heart failure.

According to a recent SAVOR study that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2013, patients had experienced a significantly increased risk of heart failure compared to other patients who were prescribed other type-2 diabetes medications.

Researchers had reportedly observed 16,492 type-2 diabetes patients, with the goal of the study being to determine the safety profile of the medication.

Even though the study found an increased risk of heart failure, the findings were not considered statistically significant with researchers opting for further investigation.

In April 2015, an FDA advisory committee had urged the rest of agency to require manufacturers AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb to include information regarding increased risk of heart failure on Onglyza’s warning label.

An Onglyza lawsuit investigation has been launched after Onglyza patients complained of suffering heart failure, in which patients can seek potential compensation.