Many patients with type 2 diabetes who used Onglyza are filing claims against the medication’s manufacturer, AstraZeneca. They allege this diabetes drug caused an increased risk for heart failure. In some cases, surviving family members filed lawsuits on behalf of their loved ones who died from heart failure or related complications while on the medication.
If you or a family member took the prescription medications Onglyza or Kombiglyze XR, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against AstraZeneca if you or a loved one suffered any heart-related complications. Schedule a free consultation with an Onglyza heart failure lawsuit lawyer at Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. for more information on your legal options for collecting compensation based on your experience with the drug.
Call us today at 631-600-0000 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
What Are the Major Health Concerns with Onglyza and Other Similar Diabetes Medications?
Saxagliptin, better known by brand names including Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR, can help type 2 diabetics manage their blood sugar levels when used along with diet and lifestyle changes. Unfortunately, though, many users of this medication also experienced heart failure.
Patients who suffer from type 2 diabetes are already at an increased risk of heart attack, heart failure, and other cardiovascular complications. A medication that increases this risk even further puts a patient in significant peril. This risk increase exists even for those who can keep their blood sugar well-controlled with diet and medication.
If you took or continue to take this drug and are concerned about your heart failure risk, talk to your doctor about your health, and look for symptoms of cardiovascular issues. These symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Increased heart rate
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, or a dry hacking cough
- Swelling in the hands and feet
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Issues with memory, recall, and/or cognitive abilities
The patients suing AstraZeneca over the increase in heart failure risks allege the drug company failed to issue an adequate warning about the cardiovascular risks. They believe they could have made a more informed choice about their healthcare if they received proper warnings before taking the medication.
Has the FDA Taken Any Action Regarding Onglyza Heart Failure Risks?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has had concerns about the safety of new-generation type 2 diabetes drugs since shortly after their introduction in 2006. Since 2008, the FDA has asked the manufacturers of new drugs to provide evidence they do not increase the risk of heart failure and other cardiovascular events before approval.
When Onglyza came up for approval in 2009, the FDA granted approval, but also asked AstraZeneca to perform additional clinical trials related to cardiovascular complications. The result was a study known as SAVOR, published in the New England Journal of Medicine. This trial included 16,000 patients and tracked heart-related medical outcomes for each.
The results were astounding. Patients who took Onglyza were almost 30 percent more likely to suffer heart failure severe enough to require hospitalization.
This study prompted the FDA to add additional warnings to the drug’s labeling about the increased risk of heart failure. The advisory committee voted almost unanimously on this; the final vote was 14 to 1. The single vote against the warnings lobbied for pulling the medication from the market altogether. The FDA issued a drug safety communication in April of 2016 announcing the warnings about increased risk of cardiovascular complications.
Are There Any Pending Onglyza Heart Failure Lawsuits?
The plaintiffs who already filed lawsuits against drug manufacturer AstraZeneca allege the company knew about potential heart-related side effects but did not warn patients who took the medication about these risks.
The cardiovascular damage caused by these medications was not public knowledge until the publication of the SAVOR trials results in late 2013.
A warning label about this side effect took another two years, with the FDA issuing its order in 2016. However, many believe the drug company knew about these risks — or should have discovered them in trials before FDA approval.
It is still very early in the process of filing litigation based on Onglyza heart failure. If a significant number of heart failure sufferers or their families come forward and file suit against AstraZeneca, the courts may consolidate them into multidistrict litigation.
This would allow the plaintiffs to pool their resources for discovery and pretrial proceedings, and then return to their original jurisdiction for trial if necessary. They would also select several bellwether trials that allow both sides to test the strength of their case.
Many people are just discovering the link between their cardiovascular condition and the medication their doctor prescribed to help control their blood sugar levels. If you took Onglyza or another similar type 2 diabetes medication and suffered heart failure or other cardiovascular events, you may have a viable claim for compensation from the drug manufacturer.
We can review your case, offer legal advice, and represent you in court. We will fight for the full value of the damages you suffered, or recover the compensation you deserve if this drug contributed to the loss of your loved one.
How Can I Reach an Onglyza Heart Failure Lawsuit Lawyer About My Case?
At Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C., our defective diabetes drug attorneys stay up-to-date on the latest legal news regarding the Onglyza heart failure lawsuits, and intend to help our clients recover the full value of compensation they deserve. Call us today at 631-600-0000 to schedule a time to discuss your case. We handle these lawsuits on a contingency basis, meaning you do not owe us anything until we win a payout on your behalf.
