Onglyza (saxagliptin) is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels by regulating the levels of insulin the body produces after eating. It is for people with type 2 diabetes only; it is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Introduced in 2009, Onglyza works to keep the hormone incretin from being broken down, stimulating insulin production and slowing digestion.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by insulin resistance and dysfunction of beta cells in the pancreas, leading to elevated glucose levels. Diet and exercise can sometimes manage diabetes, but in cases where they are not enough, patients are prescribed medication to control blood glucose levels.
How many Americans have type 2 diabetes?
The American Diabetes Association reported that 30.3 million Americans have diabetes in the United States; nearly 29.05 million (about 95%) of those people have type 2 diabetes. An estimated 25% of American seniors, those over the age of 65, have diabetes (both diagnosed and undiagnosed.) There are 1.5 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes every year.
Do Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR increase your risk for heart failure?
In October 2013, The New England Journal of Medicine, published a study that showed an increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure after taking saxagliptin (generic version of Onglyza). Following this study, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched an investigation into the link between Onglyza/ Kymbiglyze XR and heart failure.
In April 2015, an FDA advisory committee concluded that patients who take Onglyza or Kymbiglyze XR face an increased risk of heart failure. According to the SAVOR study, cited by FDA officials, patients taking saxagliptin (generic version of Onglyza) showed a 27 percent increase in the rate of first-time hospitalization due to heart failure. Following this conclusion, the FDA recommended that the manufacturer of Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR, AstraZeneca, update the drug’s labeling to warn patients of an increased risk of heart failure.
Do Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR increase your risk for Pancreatic Cancer?
In 2013, a study found a potential link between incretin mimetic diabetes drugs, such as Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR, and pre-cancerous changes of the pancreas. The FDA is continuing to evaluate this claim and is urging patents and health care professions to report pancreatic side effects of these drugs.
IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY ONGLYZA AND KYMBIGLYZE XR, THE HANNON LAW FIRM HAS EXPERIENCE THAT CAN HELP.
If you or a loved one has been affected by Onglyza or Kymbiglyze XR, an experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal system and seek justice.
At The Hannon Law Firm, LLC, we have 22 years of experience Seeking Justice with Compassion (SM). Our legal team is sensitive to the needs of individuals with personal injuries and knows how traumatic injuries can impact your entire family.
You can call our office at 303-861-8800 or contact us through the form below.