Onglyza (Saxagliptin), one of the newest type-2 diabetes medications, may help treat diabetes but could induce dangerous cardiovascular Onglyza side effects in the process.

Approved by the FDA in July 2009, Onglyza is meant to help patients control their blood sugar levels. It works by reducing the amount of glucose the body produces and encourages the body to increase insulin production.

Even though Onglyza has been proven to be a market success for manufacturing company AstraZeneca, a number of patients have reported Onglyza heart failure.

Onglyza side effects

The severe Onglyza side effects have initiated concern from patients and doctors, and several panel members on a federal Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recommended that the drug be recalled. The FDA panel ultimately opted to update the Onglyza warning label rather than recall the medication. The side effects section of the warning label now must include the risk of heart complications.

One of the studies the FDA reviewed when deliberating over Onglyza side effects was a study known as the SAVOR study, which followed over 16,000 patients. The study showed that Onglyza significantly increased the risk of heart failure and other cardiac events. As compared to a control group, patients taking Onglyza were 27 percent more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure.

What is Heart Failure?

Heart failure occurs when the organ is no longer able to pump blood through the heart, resulting in complete biological shutdown. There are a number of factors that can lead to heart failure, including diet and lifestyle choices that lead to obesity and force the heart to worker harder.

Experts are not sure why Onglyza may be causing heart failure, but suspect it is linked to how the body metabolizes the drug or the impact other Onglyza side effects have on the heart.

What Causes Heart Attacks?

Onglyza is also associated with heart attacks.

Unlike heart failure, which is gradual organ failure, heart attacks occur when one or more of the coronary arteries become blocked due to build up of cholesterol or other substances. Heart attacks can also be induced by spasms or tears of coronary arteries, which shut down the blood flow to part of the heart.

There are a number of different risk factors that can induce heart attacks, including older age, tobacco use, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, family history of heart attack, diabetes, and lack of physical movement.

Onglyza patients who have suffered heart failure or other cardiac events may be eligible to take legal action against AstraZeneca.