An Indiana Onglyza lawsuit may be an option for people who took the medication and developed serious complications. Once considered to be one of the most effective diabetes drugs, Onglyza has recently been linked to a variety of dangerous side effects. Patients who have taken the drug have reported experiencing health conditions such as thyroid cancer, heart failure, and pancreatic issues. Affected patients and their families may be able to file a claim and seek compensation with the help of an Indiana Onglyza lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Indiana. We offer free, confidential, no obligation consultations. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a case we can connect you with an affiliated Indiana Onglyza lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
According to the Mayo Clinic, adult-onset diabetes, also known as type 2 diabetes, is a health condition that affects millions of Americans. In order for the body to maintain healthy levels of glucose (sugar), it moves sugar into cells with the help of the hormone insulin. When the body has difficulty producing a sufficient amount of insulin to do this, or the body isn’t using insulin correctly, the patient is said to suffer from type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of the disorder include the following:
- Increased hunger
- Fatigue
- Slow-healing sores
- Frequent urination and increased thirst
- Weight loss
- Blurred vision
If a person experiences any of the symptoms listed above, the clinic states that they should speak to a physician immediately. Prescription drugs are frequently prescribed in order to curb the effects of the disease, but for some diabetes patients, diet and exercise may be enough for management.
How Does Onglyza Work?
According to Medline Plus, Onglyza is not effective in patients suffering from type 1 diabetes, but when it is combined with regular exercise and a healthy diet, type 2 diabetes patients can reap a variety of benefits. Capable of lowering blood sugar levels in these patients, Onglyza, and its generic equivalent Saxagliptin, does most of the work after a patient consumes a meal. Blood sugar levels are usually highest after a meal, and in order for them to return to normal, they may need assistance from a prescription drug. During this time, Onglyza, which belongs to a class of drugs called DPP-4 (dipeptidyl peptidase-4) inhibitors help to produce enough insulin to bring blood sugar levels back to normal.
Onglyza Risks
WebMD cites a study, which found that diabetes patients who took a placebo had a 27 percent lower risk of experiencing heart failure than type 2 diabetes patients who took Onglyza. The study was originally intended to analyze how Onglyza impacts the human heart, and it found that patients who took the drug were not only at a significantly higher risk of dying from heart problems, but a variety of other health conditions. The study did not address the cause of this increased rate of mortality.
Official Label Changes
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended that if patients have difficulty controlling their blood sugar, they should try a different class of drugs first. Furthermore, the agency has publicly acknowledged the connection between DPP-4 inhibitors and the risk of heart failure (when the heart is unable to supply a sufficient amount of blood) in some patients. The warning label on Onglyza has been changed because of this risk, and the FDA believes that patients who have suffered from kidney and heart conditions in the past are at increased risk of heart failure. If a DPP-4 inhibitor patient exhibits signs of heart failure, physicians should discontinue the drug immediately.
Cases Similar to the Indiana Onglyza Lawsuit
In Cook County, Illinois, a woman filed a lawsuit against the maker of Onglyza, AstraZeneca. She alleges that her mother, a diabetes patient who was prescribed Onglyza, experienced heart failure after taking the drug for three years. The lawsuit claims that there is a link between the death of the woman’s mother and her consumption of Onglyza. Prior to heart failure, her mother was hospitalized for other health conditions multiple times. She also claims that the frequent hospitalization of her mother was caused by the drug.
How an Indiana Onglyza Lawsuit Can Help
Drug makers have a duty to provide safe products. If there are risks of harm associated with their products, they also must provide adequate warnings. If a drug maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
People injured by bad drugs may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those who have died may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
The Time You Have to File a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Indiana. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.