(800) 766-1000
Onglyza (saxagliptin) is a pharmaceutical drug manufactured to treat Type 2 diabetes. The medication is intended to mediate blood sugar and aid the pancreas in creating insulin, but Onglyza may actually increase the risk of pancreatic cancer and heart failure in diabetic patients, especially those who already show a potential for heart or liver problems.
If you have experienced heart failure after taking Onglyza or have lost a loved one who took this medication, please call our pharmaceutical injury lawyers in Orlando today at (407) 712-7300 to schedule your FREE case evaluation. Colling Gilbert Wright have ample experience in defective product and dangerous drug cases. We are prepared to fight for clients throughout Florida and nationwide.
Why is Onglyza a Popular Medication?
Onglyza was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009 and has become a popular medication for diabetics because it doesn’t cause weight gain. However, the patients who chose to take Onglyza to avoid gaining weight may have chosen a different medication if they knew the associated risks. Now, patients and families of deceased patients are coming forward and filing dangerous drug or defective product claims against the manufacturing company, AstraZeneca.
Although the FDA ultimately gave approval for the manufacturing and distribution of Onglyza, the administration recommended AstraZeneca conduct more trials because the previous studies were deemed insufficient and unreliable. In 2015, an FDA committee recommended new safety information be included on Onglyza labels. One person on the committee even recommended the drug be taken off the market.
The FDA also suggested medical professionals refrain from prescribing Onglyza (and other drugs containing saxagliptin) to diabetics with cardiovascular problems as another study found patients had a 27 percent increase in risk for initial hospitalization. Additionally, there is also anecdotal evidence that Onglyza may increase your risk of abnormal pancreatic growths and pancreatic cancer, but more studies are needed to fully understand the impact the medication has on the pancreas.
Onglyza Lawsuits
Several patients using Onglyza have been in and out of the hospital due to heart failure which involves high medical costs and sometimes long-term disability. Many patients may never recover from the lasting effects of heart failure and some have lost their lives. The first woman to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the manufacturer lost her diabetic mother to heart failure in 2011 after her mother took Onglyza for more than a year. Other patients and loved ones are following this woman’s lead and holding AstraZeneca accountable for the suffering and/or death of someone with Type 2 diabetes after taking the medication.
The makers of Onglyza have underplayed the danger of this diabetes medication while emphasizing that the drug won’t cause weight gain like others of its kind. Patients and medical professionals should have been made aware of the potential for heart failure before they decided to begin taking Onglyza. Current lawsuits are also seeking punitive damages to punish AstraZeneca and deter them and other drug manufacturers from making these grievous decisions in the future.
Recovering Compensation in a Dangerous Drug Lawsuit
Our attorneys have extensive experience in dangerous drug lawsuits and know how to aggressively handle your case. We can help you or your loved one find justice and compensation for any cardiovascular problems that arose following the use of Onglyza. Patients and their families could be eligible to recover damages for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Permanent disability or long-term care
- Wrongful death
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering
How Colling Gilbert Wright Can Help
Our law firm in Orlando is well known for our tenacity in fighting for our injured clients. If you or a loved one has suffered heart failure after taking Onglyza, please call our lawyers in Orlando at (407) 712-7300 for a FREE case evaluation. Colling Gilbert Wright serve clients throughout Florida and across the nation.
