Although Onglyza has quickly become a popular type-2 diabetes drug since its FDA approval in 2009, there are a number of serious side effects of Onglyza that patients may not have been adequately warned about, including heart failure. In response to reports of side effects of Onglyza, the FDA has required the drug’s manufacturers to update its warning label with these risks.

Basics of Onglyza

Onglyza (also known by its generic name, saxagliptin) is manufactured by pharmaceutical giants AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb. It was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009 as a treatment for type-2 diabetes.

Onglyza belongs to a class of drugs known as incretin mimetics, a kind of diabetes drug stimulates insulin release, helping to regulate blood sugar level.

A major selling point for Onglyza has been that it tends not to promote weight gain. A side effect of many diabetes drugs is weight gain, but weight gain has not associated with Onglyza. This makes the drug highly attractive for type-2 diabetes patients.

While many patients have chosen Onglyza because it is advertised as not encouraging weight gain, several side effects of Onglyza may be much more severe—and may even be life-threatening.

Side Effects of Onglyza: Heart Failure

Heart failure is a serious and potentially life-threatening medical condition in which the heart becomes so weak that it cannot adequately pump blood throughout the body. High blood pressure or coronary artery disease can eventually lead to heart failure by gradually weakening the heart.

Even if a patient survives heart failure, they are typically forced to make significant changes to their daily life. These kinds of permanent changes may include improving their diet, reducing their level of salt intake, exercising, losing weight, and/or managing stress more effectively. All of these things can reduce the risk of further complications.

Onglyza manufacturers were warned by the FDA in April 2015 to include an increased risk of heart failure to their warning labels. FDA policy is that drugs do not and should not require definitive links before adding warnings to their labels of potential risks. Companies add warning labels when there is enough evidence to suggest a connection and cause concern.

Filing a Lawsuit Over Side Effects of Onglyza

A growing number of diabetes patients are coming forward, alleging that Onglyza directly led to major side effects, including heart failure. Some patients choose to file lawsuits over side effects of Onglyza against the manufacturers, AstraZeneca and Bristol-Meyers Squibb, for failing to adequately warn and inform the medical community and consumers of potential heightened risk factors of their drug.

If you or someone you love has suffered from heart failure or other serious side effects of Onglyza, you may be able to take legal action. Filing an Onglyza lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by side effects of Onglyza, or brin g aloved one back to life, but it can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages.