Onglyza—also known by its generic name, saxagliptin—is a popular type 2 diabetes treatment. It is manufactured jointly by pharmaceutical giants Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca. Onglyza was first approved by the U.S. Food and Administration (FDA) over a decade ago now, back in July 2009. These companies also jointly developed the drug Kombiglyze XR, which combines saxagliptin with metformin. Onglyza is one of a group of medications known as incretin mimetics, which all function similarly.

What Exactly Is Onglyza Used For?

In patients with type 2 diabetes, their bodies can’t produce the hormone insulin properly. Onglyza, used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, specifically targets the blood sugar levels of patients by stimulating pancreatic insulin production. Along with exercise and diet, Onglyza is used to help regulate and control blood sugar levels.

The use of Onglyza has become popular in recent years, especially after the recall of another major diabetes treatment option, Avandia. Avandia has been linked with a risk of cardiac death.

What are Onglyza Side Effects?

Unfortunately, the use of Onglyza has been linked with a few major side effects. One of these major risks is heart failure. According to a study, known as the SAVOR study and funded by the drug makers themselves, patients who used Onglyza faced a higher rate of hospitalization due to heart failure. Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle fails to pump blood as efficiently as it should, leading to blood and fluid build-up in the lungs, as well as other side effects.

The SAVOR study followed approximately 16,500 patients for two years, with half of the patients given saxagliptin, and half were given a placebo. The study determined that participants who had been assigned saxagliptin rather than the placebo were several percentage points more likely to experience heart complications.

As patients with type-2 diabetes are already at an increased risk for cardiovascular complications, the findings of the SAVOR study may be concerning for patients and physicians. Although improving blood sugar levels is necessary to reduce complications from type-2 diabetes, many of the medications that aim to do so, including saxagliptin, increase the risk of other adverse reactions including cardiovascular events.

An FDA advisory committee asked that the federal agency require the drug makers to add information about the heart failure risk of Onglyza to the drug’s warning label back in April 2016.

Patients taking Onglyza may want to be aware of the signs of heart failure, as many of the early symptoms may be mistaken for signs of the flu or other common ailments. There are a few significant signs of heart failure that patients taking Onglyza should look out for, including:

• Unusual shortness of breath
• Trouble breathing while prone
• Tiredness, weakness, or fatigue
• Weight gain and swelling in the ankles, feet, legs or stomach

Other symptoms of heart failure may include a rapid or irregular heartbeat, a cough, wheezing with bloody phlegm, increased need for urination at night, weight gain from fluid retention, difficulty concentrating, fainting, or loss of appetite or nausea. Patients who believe they may be suffering from heart failure related to Onglyza usage may want to consult their physician. While heart failure has no cure, it can be managed with treatment. Failing to diagnose heart failure may be life-threatening.

Some patients claim that they were not adequately warned about the risks linked with Onglyza prior to taking the drug.

What Are Other Potential Onglyza Side Effects?

Certain health conditions and medications may invoke different Onglyza side effects.

Anyone who is lactose intolerant should know that Onglyza is made with lactose. Whether or not a lactose intolerant patient should take Onglyza or not should be discussed with their doctor.

Because Onglyza reduces blood sugar levels, there is a risk that patients may suffer from low blood sugar, a condition clinically known as hypoglycemia. Low blood sugar is more likely to occur in patients who also take a drug containing sulfonylurea or insulin. Low blood sugar symptoms may include headache, drowsiness, weakness, confusion, irritability, sweating, and shakiness.

Anyone with kidney disease or reduced kidney function may experience Onglyza building up inside the body, especially because Onglyza itself may cause reduced kidney function. In general, anyone who is on dialysis or is suffering from end-stage renal disease is probably not a good candidate for the medication, but should consult a doctor.

Likewise, patients who have moderate-to-severely reduced liver function are advised to stay away from Onglyza because liver disease may interfere with the metabolism of the medication, leading to an unhealthy buildup of Onglyza in the body.

Even if a patient does not have a history of pancreatitis, Onglyza may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is marked by abdominal pain on the upper left side, nausea, fever, chills, rapid heartbeat or a swollen abdominal area.

Onglyza used for type-2 diabetes is recommended, but not for the treatment of type-1 diabetes.

A number of drugs have been linked to adverse interactions with Onglyza, including diuretics, estrogen-containing pills, HIV protease inhibitors and macrolide antibiotics, such as erythromycin. Grapefruit juice also may interfere with the proper metabolism of Onglyza.

Can I File an Onglyza Lawsuit?

A growing number of Onglyza patients are turning to litigation with their claims, alleging that they were not warned about the risks associated with Onglyza. If you or someone you love has suffered from these or other side effects after taking Onglyza, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by these complications, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially in the wake of major health problems, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.