What ONGLYZA Is Used For?
Saxagliptin is used with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems.
HOW ONGLYZA WORKS?
Saxagliptin belongs to the group of diabetes medications called DPP-4 inhibitors. It works by increasing the amount of incretin available in the body. Incretin is a hormone that is released by the intestines. It raises insulin levels when blood sugar is high and decreases the amount of sugar made by the body.
SYMPTOMS & SIDE EFFECTS OF ONGLYZA
Onglyza is the brand name for saxagliptin, an oral prescription medication prescribed to help patients with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels.
Onglyza is available as a coated tablet in 2.5 and 5 mg doses, and is taken once daily.
Onglyza was developed jointly by the drug companies Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca, and is now sold by AstraZeneca. It was approved by the FDA on July 31, 2009.
Onglyza belongs to a class of diabetes drugs called DPP-4 inhibitors, which also includes Januvia and Nesina. These drugs work by increasing the production of incretin hormones that block the action of the pancreatic hormone glucagon. This raises insulin levels while reducing blood glucose levels.
Onglyza may be prescribed alone or in combination with other diabetes medications. When combined with metformin, it is known as Kombiglyze. It is not intended to treat type-1 diabetes.
Listed Side Effects
In addition to the recently-added risks of heart failure, Onglyza is associated to a number of other side effects. The Medication Guide from AstraZeneca lists the following possible side effects:
- Pancreatitis
- Skin blisters or sores
- Urinary tract infection
- Joint pain
- Swelling or fluid retention deficiency
- Headache
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Upper respiratory tract infection.
Allergic Reactions on Label
In addition, the label warns of possible allergic reactions from Onglyza, including:
- Hives, itching, rash, or peeling skin
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swelling of the skin
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
If you experience any of these side effects, it is important to speak with your doctor immediately.
Patient Prior Conditions
In addition, patients should tell their doctor if they’ve suffered any of the following before they begin taking Onglyza:
- Pancreatitis
- Kidney problems
- Currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- Heart problems.
For more information on the studies, warnings, side effects or litigation related to Onglyza, contact us today to speak with a lawyer.
Latest ONGLYZA News & Recalls
On April 5, 2016, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to doctors and the public that the type 2 diabetes Onglyza (saxagliptin) and Nesina (alogliptin) may increase the chances of heart failure, especially in those with prior heart or kidney problems.
Label Warning Added for Heart Failure
The FDA cautioned patients taking either Onglyza or Nesina to monitor for the symptoms of heart failure, which may include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Swelling in legs or stomach
- Weight gain.
Heart failure, or congestive heart failure, isn’t a sudden stop in heart function as it sounds, but rather a gradual weakening of the heart’s ability to pump enough blood to supply the body. Although the condition can be managed with medications and a change in lifestyle, there is no cure, and can shorten the life expectancy of those affected.
2016 FDA Warning
The 2016 warning came after a two-year formal investigation by the FDA, prompted by an October 2013 study of Onglyza heart risks published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Following more than 16,000 patients, researchers at Harvard/Brigham and Womens Hospital found that those taking Onglyza were up to twice as likely to be hospitalized for heart failure.
In addition, the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) indicates the agency has received numerous reports of cardiovascular and other severe side effects in those taking Onglyza so far, including:
- 303 reports of cardiac failure
- 76 reports of heart attack
- 60 reports of atrial fibrillation
- 136 reports of pancreatitis
- 84 reports of pancreatic cancer
- 160 reports of death.
Experts estimate the actual number of complications could be 3-4 times as high as the number reported, meaning thousands of patients have suffered injury.
Lawsuits & Settlements
The first Onglyza lawsuit filed in 2016 was brought by the family of an Illinois woman who suffered multiple hospitalizations and eventual death from heart failure after taking Onglyza for approximately 3 years.
Onglyza MDL Lawsuit
In the years since, nearly 90 patients with similar heart injuries have filed claims around the country. However, most people still don’t know of the risks or pending litigation.
Now, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has ordered that all pending claims be consolidated into a federal multidistrict litigation court, similar to an Onglyza class action lawsuit. This is likely to bring added attention to the heart risks and greater access to courts for those affected.
Plaintiff Carolyn Williams filed the petition for MDL, and the JPML held a hearing to determine centralization on January 25, 2018. The panel ordered the class action-like MDL will be presided over by Chief U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell in the Eastern District of Kentucky.
AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb, the makers of Onglyza, opposed creating a class action MDL or joining the numerous cases together, saying there weren’t enough cases and that they don’t expect many more to be filed. In reality, drug makers often argue against MDL and Class Action certification in order to avoid the added publicity that attracts additional plaintiffs.
From now on, the Onglyza Class Action Lawsuit will be formally known as MDL Docket 2809, under the heading In Re: Onglyza and Kombiglyze Products Liability Litigation. Healthcare Advocacy Group will continue to monitor the litigation and provide updates.
In February 2018, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued a Transfer Order to centralize all federal heart failure lawsuits for the drugs Onglyza and Kombiglyze to Multidistrict Litigation Court MDL 2809 in the Eastern District of Kentucky.
The panel noted at least 84 heart failure lawsuits have been filed in more than 30 separate districts around the country against AstraZeneca, the maker of Onglyza. These will likely increase due to the popularity of the drug.
If you have questions about whether your injury might be related and whether you are eligible for a case, it is best to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Lawyers are currently investigating cases on behalf of those patients who took Onglyza and suffered:
- Heart failure
- Cardiovascular problems
- Pancreatic cancer
- Death.
If you have questions about whether your injury might be related and whether you are eligible for a case, it is best to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
An Onglyza lawyer can review your specific circumstances and history of medication use to determine if your case might qualify. And, they can file and pursue your case for you, so in most cases you won’t have to travel. Most importantly, it costs nothing to speak with a lawyer or file a case unless you receive an award.
However, your rights might be limited by the Statutes of Limitation in your state, or the dates that you took the medication. Therefore, it’s important to get your claim started as early as you can.
Healthcare Advocacy Group lawyers have handled hundreds of cases involving heart failure, death and pancreatitis from diabetes medications. Contact us today to speak directly with a lawyer at no cost.
Legal Assistance
In addition to the injuries caused by Onglyza, legal claims against AstraZeneca include:
- Manufacturing of a dangerous medication
- Failure to adequately warn the medical community and the public about possible dangers
- Improper marketing of a medication
- Marketing of a drug despite awareness of danger
- If you or a loved one experienced complications after using Onglyza, you might be entitled to compensation for medical care, pain and suffering, and lost wages
Read More
Type 2 diabetes drugs are notorious for side effects. Despite the success some patients have with these drugs, many have suffered severe side effects. In some cases, side effects proved deadly.
Onglyza has created problems for many users and anyone using or considering use of this drug should be aware of the danger. If you or a loved one has suffered a heart health event because of Onglyza use, you have a right to take legal action.
HOW TO FILE A CLAIM
Do you want to learn if you have a case? The lawsuits are being filed on behalf of those patients who suffered:
- cardiac failure
- heart attack
- atrial fibrillation
- pancreatitis
- pancreatic cancer
- death
Lawyers expect that thousands of patients will ultimately come forward with injuries to file claims. As is often the case with drug injury lawsuits, cases may eventually be consolidated in a central federal court for expedited handling.
A lawyer can speak with you today to determine if your case qualifies, and it costs nothing to investigate or file your claim unless you receive compensation.
Do you have a case?
-
CONTACT US
Address
4900 Fournace Place
Bellaire, TX 77401 -
FOLLOW US
