Onglyza Lawyer

Update: Drug Lawsuit Source is no longer accepting these cases. We regret we cannot assist you. You may want to contact a law firm in your area to see if they will accept your case.

Onglyza (saxagliptin) is a type 2 diabetes medication that was approved by the FDA on July 31, 2009. The drug is used to help control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients who do not suffer from diabetic ketoacidosis – a condition where the body breaks down fat cells, creating a toxic amount of ketones in the blood stream.

Since its introduction to the diabetes drug market, it has been a popular choice among doctors and patients because weight gain is not a common side effect, as it can be with other similar diabetes medications. The medication saw sales of nearly 800 million dollars in 2015, and that number is expected to increase each year. Our Onglyza lawyers can work with you to demand justice if you have been injured due to this drug.

What Are Complications Of Onglyza?

Unfortunately, there has been some concern over serious side effects that may be associated with Onglyza and which should be documented and dicussed with an attorney. Several studies conducted since 2011 have suggested it may increase the risk of heart failure (heart attacks) or pancreatic cancer in some patients.

Serious side effects associated with Onglyza include:

  • Heart Failure
  • Heart Attacks
  • Pancreatic Cancer
  • Thyroid Cancer
  • Pancreatitis
  • Acute Pancreatitis
  • Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis
  • Necrotizing Pancreatitis
  • Kidney Complications
  • Renal Failure

Heart Failure

A study conducted in 2015 known as the Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (SAVOR) involved over 16,000 patients. The study concluded that it increased the risk of heart failure hospitalizations by roughly 27 percent.

On April 5, 2016, the FDA released an updated safety communication requiring the label to include warnings about heart failure.

Pancreatic Cancer

The FDA has also released safety communications about the risk of pancreatic cancer and severe joint pain in patients who use the drug.

Several diabetes drugs, including Onglyza, have been linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is a particularly troubling cancer as it rarely shows any signs or symptoms of its presence until the tumor has grown large enough to be a life-threatening concern. Pancreatic cancer can also be brought on by pancreatitis.

UCLA researchers determined that diabetes drugs like Onglyza increase the mass of the pancreas. Additionally, according to a study published in Gastroenterology, people who take these drugs to help manage diabetes are 2.7 times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer.

As can be seen from the table above, several dangerous side effects of Onglyza that were previously undisclosed have been discovered in recent years.

Of these discovered side effects, the existence of a heightened pancreatic cancer risk has come as the most disturbing.

While AstraZeneca may dispute the connection between their drug and pancreatic cancer, several studies published before and after an FDA safety communication in 2013 provide substantial evidence that the claim of a Onglyza-pancreatic cancer connection is valid.

In addition to confirming studies, the FDA has fielded multiple reports from Onglyza users alleging the development of pancreatic cancer as a result of taking the drug.

As time passes, it is expected that additional studies will once again confirm that there is a connection between Onglyza use and pancreatic cancer development.

Additionally, an increase in consumer reports of pancreatic cancer development will offer even more confirmation to the already strong claim.

The most troubling aspect of the pancreatic cancer-Onglyza discovery is the deadly nature of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is often cited as the single deadliest form of cancer due to frequent inability to detect in its early stages.

While different cancer types including prostate and breast cancer generally have a 5-year survivability rate ranging from 22% to 100% depending on when detected, pancreatic cancer is associated with a range between 1% and 14% depending on stage of discovery.

With the deadly nature of pancreatic cancer, the ability of Onglyza to heighten a consumers risk of developing it presents a risk for the consumer as well as their loved ones.

While pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect in initial stages, commonly cited symptoms include:

  • Jaundice (Yellow Skin)
  • Blood Clots
  • Upper Abdominal Pain
  • Depression
  • Loss of Appetite
  • Weight Loss

Due to the nature of this cancer, if any of these symptoms are identified you must contact a medical professional without delay. It is also important to document any medical conditions that have developed after taking Onglyza to discuss with your lawyer.

DPP-4 inhibitors are relatively new as they were first brought to market in 2006. With information relating to their connection to pancreatic cancer still being discovered, the full extent of the pancreatic cancer-Onglyza connection may not be known for years.

Heart Attack

As can be seen from the table above, several dangerous side effects that were previously undisclosed have been discovered in recent years.

Of these discovered side effects, the existence of a heightened heart attack risk has come as the most disturbing.

While AstraZeneca may dispute the connection between their drug and heart attack, several studies published before and after an FDA safety communication in 2013 provide substantial evidence that the claim of a connection is valid.

In addition to confirming studies, the FDA has fielded multiple reports from users alleging heart attacks as a result of taking Onglyza.

As time passes, it is expected that additional studies will once again confirm that there is a connection between Onglyza use and heart attacks.

Additionally, an increase in consumer reports of heart attack development will offer even more confirmation to the already strong claim.

Patients taking Onglyza should contact their health care professionals right away if they develop signs and symptoms of heart failure and heart attacks such as:

Heart Failure/Heart Attack Signs & Symptoms 
Unusual shortness of breath during daily activities
Trouble breathing when lying down
Tiredness, weakness, or fatigue
Weight gain with swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, or stomach

The most troubling aspect of the heart attack-Onglyza discovery is the deadly nature of heart attacks.

DPP-4 inhibitors are relatively new as they were first brought to market in 2006. With information relating to their connection to heart attacks still being discovered, the full extent of the connection may not be known for years.

Actions Taken Against Onglyza

Lawsuits are currently being investigated against the manufacturers of saxagliptin, AstraZeneca. If you have experienced negative side effects after taking this medication, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your pain and suffering.

Lawsuits will seek compensation for lost wages, physical damages, and more. Settlements in lawsuits will also cover the cost of medical expenses related to these complications.

Settlements in lawsuits are expected to be substantial due to the serious of the alleged complications. If you have suffered complications after taking Onglyza, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. There are very specific time deadlines that must be met when filing dangerous drug lawsuits. If you miss the deadline, your claim could be lost forever.

FDA Recall

The FDA first alerted consumers and practitioners about the risk of heart failure almost one year to the day prior to this latest warning. At that time, however, the evidence was slightly less compelling, because some patients who developed heart problems also had other serious medical conditions. Nevertheless, the agency concluded that there was a correlation between Onglyza and heart failure.

As of April 26, 2017, the FDA has yet to issue a recall and it appears unlikely AstraZeneca will self-enforce a recall of this dangerous drug.

Victims are still eligible to file lawsuits against AstraZeneca, though, and should do so if they were victims.

Litigation

Onglyza is classified in a group of drugs known as Dipeptidyl peptidase-4, or DPP-4 inhibitors. The FDA has been monitoring complaints related to these drugs since they were first introduced to the market in 2006. It has been named in several FDA safety communications. They can be found in the table below.

Date Issued Onglyza Complication
March 3, 2013 Risk of pancreatic cancer
August 28, 2015 Risk of severe joint pain
April 5, 2016 Risk of heart failure

The severity of heart attacks often means those afflicted with it and their loved ones are subjected to substantial lifestyle changes which can negatively effect financial stability and quality of life.

However, although the detrimental effects on life are great, victims oftentimes do not come forward and file lawsuits against those responsible for their health complications.

To determine why this occurs, our attorneys have spoken to several dangerous drug victims who were initially timid about coming forward to decide how we can convince more victims to come forward and attempt to reclaim a resemblance of their life stability prior to Onglyza’s dangerous effects.

1. Descendants Can File For Wrongful Death: In the unfortunate event that a loved one passed due to complications brought on by their Onglyza use, the surviving members of their estate may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This lawsuit would aim to recover lost financial stability that occurred with the passing of your loved one.

2. Risk Free Endeavor: Most victims who do not come forward to file a claim cite a fear of immense legal fees inflicting more financial damage on them than if they just didn’t file. To quell these fears, we have created a written guarantee that our clients will not be charged anything unless they win a settlement.

3. Regain Financial Stability: Treatment for a heart attack is often costly and requires extensive time off work. This leaves many victims struggling to regain financial stability, adding another worrisome issue to their situation. A lawsuit will be able to secure you financial stability lost, allowing you to focus solely on your recovery.

4. Substantial Backing From Medical Data: Unlike other lawsuits that may be based on a small amount of public information, Onglyza lawsuits can cite multiple studies and FDA communications to prove that AstraZeneca was neglectful in protecting their consumers.

Onglyza lawsuits will be filed against AstraZeneca, the company that manufacturers and produces the drug. Lawsuit allegations are expected to state that AstraZeneca:

  • Failed to warn the public of the risks associated with taking Onglyza
  • Failed to properly test Onglyza for dangerous side effects
  • Withheld research data from the public about the drug dangers
  • Sold the drug even though it knew it could be dangerous
  • Manufactured and sold an unsafe product

Retain an Onglyza Attorney Today

With information detailing Onglyza’s health risks still being released to the public, no settlement offers have yet to be publicly offered or accepted. As more potential plaintiffs are exposed to information that give them confidence in filing a dangerous device lawsuit, the chance of settlement offers being fielded will rise.

FDA safety communications on the dangers of Onglyza have been released as recently as April 2016. It is likely that in the near future, enough lawsuits will be filed against AstraZeneca to justify exploration into a class action lawsuit or multidistrict litigation.

The existence of either of these entities increases the likelihood of substantial settlement offers being issued. This is rooted in the likely desire of AstraZeneca to avoid a financially and P.R. risky public trial.

To become eligible to receive an Onglyza dangerous drug settlement to recover compensation for financial and physical damages incurred due to to Onglyza use, you must begin the process of filing a dangerous drug lawsuit. An extensive investigation into you medical records and analysis of relevant state deadlines will determine if you can proceed with legal action against AstraZeneca.

To effectively complete these preliminary processes of filing a lawsuit, you must have a skilled Onhlyza lawyer representing you. The difference between a top-tier attorney and one who does not possess the combination of skills, experience, and resources needed could be the difference between a substantial settlement and losing your case.

It is important to begin your legal process as soon as possible to afford yourself flexibility in working around deadlines and other legal hurdles. The additional flexibility will also allow you to work with your attorney to better position your case to receive an acceptable settlement offer.

To file an Onglyza pancreatic cancer lawsuit, the following criteria must be met:

  • Suffered from pancreatic cancer
  • Took the drug for at least one year prior to diagnosis
call us

    Sources and References
    1. Onglyza Medication Guide – FDA
    2. Saxagliptin: MedlinePlus Drug Information – MedlinePlus.com
    3. Onglyza Prescribing Information – azpicentral.com
    4. Saxagliptin for Diabetes (Onglyza) – Patient.info
    5. Onglyza – emedicinehealth.com
    6. Diabetes Medications Containing Saxagliptin and Alogliptin: Drug Safety Communication – Risk of Heart Failure – FDA

    Drug Lawsuit Source

    Drug Lawsuit Source
    N/a