A Virginia Onglyza lawsuit may be an option for patients who have suffered severe complications after taking the drug. The diabetes drug Onglyza has been linked to pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer, heart failure, and even death and is also under scrutiny following safety warnings issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Affected parties may be eligible to seek compensation for damages with the help of a Virginia Onglyza attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Virginia. 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 Virginia Onglyza lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Type 2 Diabetes and Medications
According to WebMD, a person who develops type 2 diabetes may take measures to control the disease, but there is currently no cure. Once the body stops effectively using insulin to convert glucose into energy, the amount of sugar in the blood increases dangerously. Lifestyle changes such as exercise, a healthy diet and weight loss often reduce the effects of the disease, but doctors may recommend medication, as well.
The American Diabetes Association explains that medications for type 2 diabetes vary in the ways that they affect the body. For example, biguanides stimulate muscle tissue to respond to insulin and absorb sugar. These drugs also work on the liver to prevent excess glucose production by that organ.
Thiazolidinediones work similarly, but some medications of this type may create liver problems, and others may raise the chances of a heart attack. DPP-4 inhibitors block the breakdown of the compound in the body that lowers blood sugar so that it can continue to do its job.
FDA Reviews and Drug Safety
When the FDA receives evidence that a drug may not be as safe as the manufacturer claimed when it applied for approval, the agency reviews clinical trials to determine if there are any additional risks. One DPP-4 inhibitor has been the focus of recent reviews, according to a FDA drug safety information update.
Scientists have discovered that saxagliptin, which is the active ingredient in Onglyza, may put some patients in danger of heart failure. In particular, those who already have heart or kidney problems may be at risk, studies showed, with more heart failure hospitalizations occurring in those who took the drug than those who took a placebo.
The FDA has added a warning to Onglyza labels and advises doctors to evaluate whether the drug is appropriate for their patients based on this new safety information, particularly for those who have already experienced heart failure. The FDA has not decided to issue a recall of the drug at this time, but the new warning states that patients should be told of the increased risk and taught to identify the symptoms of heart failure, such as breathing problems and fatigue.
Onglyza, Pancreatitis, and Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas releases powerful digestive enzymes into the small intestine to aid in the digestion of food and releases insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream, controlling how the body uses food for energy. According to a warning issued by the FDA in 2013, acute pancreatitis was reported in patients taking Onglyza.
Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of the pancreas and often has a poor prognosis, even when diagnosed early. Pancreatic cancer typically spreads rapidly and is rarely detected in its early stages, which makes it a leading cause of cancer deaths. In addition to previous warnings regarding post-marketing reports of pancreatitis, the FDA issued a report in March 2013 that the agency was going to evaluate unpublished findings that may suggest the possible increased risk pre-cancerous cellular changes in patients who used incretin mimetic medications, including Onglyza.
Onglyza Lawsuits Filed
Other drugs in the same class as Onglyza, like Januvia, were associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, and people diagnosed with the disease filed hundreds of lawsuits against the manufacturers.
In addition, a woman filed a lawsuit against AstraZeneca after her mother suffered heart failure after taking Onglyza. The lawsuit alleges Onglyza led to the mother’s death in 2013, and the daughter is seeking punitive damages in addition to more than $50,000 in compensation.
How a Virginia 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 Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Virginia. 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.
