Researchers are studying a link between Onglyza and heart failure.

Onglyza (saxagliptin) was approved by the FDA in 2009 as a new medication to control high blood sugar in type-2 diabetics. Onglyza belongs to a relatively new class of medications known as incretin mimetics, which signal the pancreas to produce more insulin in response to deviations in blood sugar levels.

Onglyza is in the same class as Avandia, another incretin mimetic that was recalled after it was linked to an increased risk of death from heart failure. Now, Astra Zeneca’s Onglyza and heart failure might be linked as well.

Study Indicates Onglyza and Heart Failure Increase are Related

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2013 indicated patients prescribed Onglyza had a slightly higher incidence of being hospitalized for heart failure compared to patients who took other diabetes drugs. The SAVOR study looked at 16,492 patients who were diagnosed with type-2 diabetes. Researchers evaluated the medications and the patients’ experiences in an attempt to narrow down which medications were most effective.

Researchers noted the number of hospitalizations linked to Onglyza and heart failure was a red flag signaling a need for more study.

In 2015, the FDA required a new label indicating that serious side effects can include heart failure among patients taking Onglyza.

What are Symptoms of Onglyza and Heart Failure?

Heart failure symptoms can vary among patients. The following signs can indicate a link between Onglyza and heart failure:

• Marked shortness of breath during daily activities
• Breathing problems upon lying down
• Tiredness, weakness, or extreme fatigue
• Gaining weight and swelling of the ankles, feet, legs or stomach
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Nagging cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-colored phlegm
• Increased need to urinate in the night
• Lack of appetite, nausea
• Reduced ability to exercise

Heart failure means the heart is too weak to pump enough blood to all of the cells. When cells lack nourishment, the body becomes extremely fatigued and breathing becomes difficult with even everyday activities such as walking the dog or carrying in groceries.

According to the American Heart Association, “Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition in which the heart muscle is unable to pump enough blood through to meet the body’s needs for blood and oxygen. Basically, the heart can’t keep up with its workload.”

The heart can respond by enlarging, developing increased muscle mass, or pumping faster. While all of these reactions help deliver more blood to the body for a period of time, “these temporary measures mask the problem of heart failure, but they don’t solve it. Heart failure continues and worsens until these substitute processes no longer work.”

The body is so good at trying to compensate for heart failure that many people are unaware of the problem until years after the heart starts declining.

If you or someone you love has suffered because of a possible link between Onglyza and heart failure, you could benefit from speaking with an attorney regarding your legal options.