Onglyza, a diabetes medication developed and distributed by AstraZeneca, has been linked to serious side effects, including those affecting the pancreas, thyroid, and cardiovascular system. Affected patients and families may be eligible to file a Louisiana Onglyza lawsuit and pursue compensation for damages allegedly associated with the medication.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Louisiana 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 an oral prescription medication used to control high blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels caused by a lack of insulin or the body’s inability to use insulin efficiently. Onglyza is belongs to a group of diabetes medications called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors.
Who Takes Onglyza and How Does It Work?
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disease that causes sugar to collect in the blood stream. Also known as hyperglycemia, type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is often diagnosed later in life. Onglyza is only used to treat adults who suffer from type 2 diabetes. Individuals with pancreatitis, gallstones, a history of alcoholism, and high blood triglyceride levels should discuss their health with their doctor before taking the drug.
Onglyza works by increasing the amount of incretin, a hormone released by the intestines, available in the body. Incretin raises insulin levels when blood sugar is high and decreases the amount of sugar made by the body. Along with diet and exercise, Onglyza is used as an overall diabetes management plan.
Onglyza Side Effects and Risks
Like many prescription medications, Onglyza may cause a number of reactions and side effects when used as prescribed to treat adults with type 2 diabetes. Common side effects of Onglyza include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Stomach pain
- Pain or burning when urinating
- Headache
- Swelling of the face, lips, throat, and skin
- Difficulty with swallowing or breathing
- Hives
Onglyza is often used with other medications to treat symptoms of type 2 diabetes. As a result, the risk of low blood sugar is higher. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include shaking, hunger, sweating, headache, rapid heartbeat, change in mood, and change in vision.
Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer Risks
In a safety communication issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2013, acute pancreatitis was reported in individuals taking Onglyza. If pancreatitis is suspected, patients should immediately stop using the medication and inform their doctor or health care provider as soon as possible. It is unknown whether patients with a history of pancreatitis are at a greater risk for the development of pancreatitis while using the medication.
Pancreatic cancer has also been allegedly associated with the use of incretin-based therapies, including Onglyza. In 2013, the American Diabetes Association published an article in Diabetes, a peer-reviewed journal focusing on diabetes research. The article concluded that incretin therapy in humans resulted in a marked expansion of the exocrine and endocrine pancreatic compartments, potentially evolving into cancerous neuroendocrine tumors.
Onglyza and Heart Failure
In 2014, 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 following a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2013. Although the study was seen as preliminary, patients were advised to discuss any concerns they may have with their doctor.
Joint Pain Associated with Onglyza
In 2015, an additional warning released by the FDA noted the potential likelihood of joint pain related to the use of DPP-4 inhibitors such as Onglyza. The warning recommended that individuals taking DPP-4 inhibitors contact their doctors or health care provider if they begin to experience persistent joint pain while taking the drug.
How A Louisiana Onglyza Lawsuit 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 a Louisiana Onglyza lawsuit attorney to learn more about their rights and remedies.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Louisiana. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at the number listed at the top of the page, or email us at info@attorneygroup.com.
When you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to speak with you about your case or 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.
See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information, and contact Attorney Group for Louisiana today.
