An Onglyza lawyer notes lawsuits alleging that the diabetes drug has been linked to conditions such as pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and heart failure. Following safety warnings issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), affected patients and families may be eligible to pursue compensation with the help of an Onglyza lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group today. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Onglyza?
Onglyza is a prescription medication used to control high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, in adults with type 2 diabetes, a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin. Manufactured by pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, Onglyza belongs to a class of diabetes medications called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. The drug helps the pancreas release insulin, stops the liver from making too much sugar, and mitigates glucose absorption rates.
Who Takes Onglyza and How Does It Work?
Onglyza is only used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes, and the medication is sometimes used in conjunction with other diabetes drugs. According to the FDA, patients with who have had past occurrences of pancreatitis, gallstones, a history of alcoholism, and high blood triglyceride levels should talk with their healthcare provider or doctor before taking Onglyza.
Onglyza works to lower blood sugar levels by helping the body increase the production of insulin after the consumption of meals. Incretin-based therapies such as Onglyza belong to a specific class of medications known as DPP-4 inhibitors. These types of drugs are designed to heighten and regulate insulin levels within the body.
Onglyza Side Effects
According to the FDA, common reactions and side effects of Onglyza include:
- Swelling of the face, lips, throat, and skin
- Difficulty with swallowing or breathing
- Hives
- Skin rash, itching, flaking, or peeling
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Urinary tract infection
- Headache
Onglyza has also been linked to other severe side effects including:
- Heart failure
- Thyroid cancer
- Pancreatitis
- Pancreatic cancer
- Death
Onglyza Risks
Since the drug’s approval in 2009, Onglyza—along with diet and exercise—has been used treat high blood sugar in adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Although the diabetes medication is a popular treatment for diabetes, Onglyza risks may include pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, heart failure, joint pain, and even death.
According to a warning issued by the FDA in 2013, acute pancreatitis was reported in patients taking Onglyza. If pancreatitis is suspected, the medication should be immediately discontinued and the patient’s doctor should be notified as soon as possible. In addition to risks of pancreatitis, there is a potential for the increased risk of pancreatic cancer from DPP-4 medications, including Onglyza.
Following a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2013, the FDA requested that the makers of Onglyza submit clinical trial data to investigate a possible association between the use of the medication and heart failure. The investigation was seen as preliminary, however, patients were encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider if they had any concerns.
An additional warning released by the FDA in 2015 warned of the possible risk of joint pain associated with the use of DPP-4 inhibitors, including Onglyza. The warning advised patients taking DPP-4 inhibitors to contact their doctors or health care professionals promptly if they begin to experience persistent joint pain. Health care professionals are then advised to consider DPP-4 inhibitors as a possible cause of joint pain and stop use if deemed appropriate.
How An Onglyza Lawyer Can Help
Drug manufacturers have a duty to ensure their products are accompanied by full and accurate instructions and warnings to guide prescribing doctors and other health care providers in making treatment decisions. If a drug maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
Patients who are injured by Onglyza may be entitled to compensation for damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- The permanency of the injury
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
- Loss of income or ability to work
If a patient dies from complications after taking Onglyza, family members may be entitled to compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one, including:
- Conscious pain and suffering of a loved one prior to death
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish from the loss of a loved one
- Funeral expenses
Patients who have suffered severe side effects after taking Onglyza, as well as the families of those who have died as a result of complications with the drug, are encouraged to seek the advice of an Onglyza lawyer to learn more about their rights and remedies.
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