Considered a revolutionary drug in its management of type-2 diabetes, Onglyza (saxagliptin) has been able to control the blood sugar of many individuals when other diabetes medications failed them.

Much hype centered around the effectiveness of the drug, which has been able to stabilize the glucose levels in difficult-to-treat patients.

Two of the main advantages of Onglyza use over its predecessors are that it does not cause hypoglycemia like competing drugs to and it does not cause weight gain in patients compared to its rivals.

However, after Onglyza had been on the market for some time, concerns were raised about its safety.

In particular, Onglyza thyroid cancer concerns remain at the top of the list.

Onglyza Thyroid Cancer Concerns

Onglyza is closely linked in its chemical composition to two other drugs also used to treat diabetes. These drugs, Victoza and Byetta, were found to have a link with the development of thyroid cancer. These drugs caused tumors in individuals, and some proved to be malignant.

Thyroid cancer, in general, is a very rare type of cancer, affecting approximately 600 patients per year.

A research study that included using Victoza caused rats to develop tumors in their thyroid gland. While this finding cannot necessarily be applied to humans, it does give additional information about the possibility of a link.

Symptoms of thyroid cancer may not initially point a physician in the direction of considering thyroid cancer. Some symptoms of thyroid cancer include hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath and having a swelling or lump in the neck.

The first three symptoms of thyroid cancer are also linked with acid reflux disorders which seem to be rampant in the U.S. today. Doctors are more likely to consider a common cause of the symptoms, and acid reflux problems, rather than a rare cause, like thyroid cancer.

Other Health Concerns Raised by Onglyza Use

In addition to Onglyza thyroid cancer concerns, the diabetes drug has also been linked with pancreatic cancer.

It is believed that since the medication stimulates the pancreas, it can cause abnormal cell changes in the organ, leading to cancer. Onglyza has also been associated with the development of pancreatitis, also likely due from the drug’s effect on the pancreas.

Heart failure is also a risk of Onglyza use. The FDA is aware of reports of heart failure following Onglyza use after the hospitalization of patients suffering from heart failure raised concerns.

As a result of the heart failure investigation, the FDA decided to mandate a label revision that requires the manufacturer to include information about the risks of heart failure while taking the drug.

Filing an Onglyza Thyroid Cancer Lawsuit

If you or a loved one developed cancer after you began taking Onglyza, you may be eligible to file an Onglyza thyroid cancer lawsuit against the manufacturer. Patients may be entitled to legal compensation as a result of their injury.

An attorney who is knowledgeable about Onglyza and is experienced in filing product liability lawsuits can review your personal case at no charge and can help you decide if filing an Onglyza thyroid cancer lawsuit is right for you.