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Onglyza Lawsuit

Onglyza Lawsuit

Onglyza (saxagliptin) is a new type-2 diabetes drug made by AstraZeneca. It has been linked to severe side effects like pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation), pancreatic cancer, heart failure, and rhabdomyolysis.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Onglyza induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer or heart failure, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Onglyza Side Effects

FDA Evaluating Rhabdomyolysis Risk

The FDA is evaluating a potential signals of a serious risk and new safety information linking DPP4 diabetes drugs and rhabdomyolysis. This potentially life-threatening kidney side effect was identified by the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) between April and June 2017.

FDA Warning for Onglyza Heart Failure Risk

April 5, 2016 — The FDA is warning that Onglyza increases the risk of heart failure, especially for patients who already have heart disease or kidney problems. The warning was prompted by results of the SAVOR clinical trial, which linked saxagliptin to a 27% increased risk of heart failure. Click here to read more.

November 5, 2015 — A woman from Chicago has filed a wrongful death lawsuits against AstraZeneca after her mother died from heart failure after taking Onglyza. Click here to read more.

August 28, 2015 — The FDA is warning that Onglyza may cause severe, disabling joint pain. Click here to read more.

April 13, 2015 — Patients who use Onglyza to treat type-2 diabetes may be significantly more likely to be hospitalized with heart failure, according to an FDA analysis of clinical trial data. Click here to read more.

February 11, 2014 — The FDA has published a Drug Safety Communication and launched an investigation after the New England Journal of Medicine publishes a study linking Onglyza to a 27% increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure. Click here to read more.

What is the problem with Onglyza?

Onglyza (saxagliptin) helps a person with type-2 diabetes lower their blood-sugar levels by influencing a hormone called GLP-1, which stimulates the growth of cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. There are many drugs that work this way, and they are called “incretin mimetics” because they mimic metabolic hormones (incretins) that increase insulin production.

The problem with incretin mimetics like Onglyza is that they have been linked to many post-marketing reports of pancreatitis (inflammation in the pancreas), pancreatic cancer, and heart failure. Because Onglyza is so new, the long-term risks are not fully known. Unfortunately, there is a growing amount of research linking Onglyza and life-threatening side effects.

FDA Warning for Study of Onglyza and Pancreatic Cancer

Some of the most alarming evidence linking incretin mimetic drugs like Onglyza to pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis was published in Diabetes in March 2013. Within weeks after the study was published, the FDA published a Safety Communication to announce that they would further investigate the potential risk of pancreatic cancer from Onglyza.

The researchers dissected pancreases that were taken from deceased patients — 8 from diabetics who used an incretin mimetic, 12 from diabetics who used another medication, and 14 from non-diabetics. The incretin mimetic group had 40% more massive pancreases, which is not surprising considering that the drugs stimulate beta-cell growth in the pancreases. However, the researchers found evidence of “eccentric,” pre-cancerous cell growth — including small, benign tumors called adenomas.

The adenomas were particularly concerning because they are normally removed when they are discovered because they can become malignant and cause life-threatening pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, patients who have surgery to remove pancreatic tissue often suffer life-long complications, including needing insulin injections. According to the researchers:

“Since the standard of care of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, because of the risk of conversion to malignancy, even if benign, is surgical resection [i.e. removal], patients exposed to incretin therapy would seem to be at increased risk of requiring pancreatic surgery.”

Onglyza Heart Failure Risk

Onglyza and other incretin mimetic diabetes drugs may increase a patient’s risk of hospitalization for heart failure by 27%, according to the SAVOR clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine. In April 2015, the FDA said it would recommend changes to the label on Onglyza to warn patients and doctors about this risk.

Onglyza Side Effects

  • Heart failure
  • Acute pancreatitis (pancreatic inflammation)
  • Hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Death

Do I have an Onglyza Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Onglyza induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured by pancreatic cancer or heart failure, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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