Diabetics Taking Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR Are At Risk
Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR are two related medications that help Type 2 diabetics to control their blood sugar levels. These drugs have recently been linked to an increased risk of heart failure and acute pancreatitis leading to precancerous changes.
Type 2 diabetics produce insulin, but their bodies either do not produce enough or are unable to use it. Onglyza changes this by reducing the amount of glucagon secreted by the pancreas to prevent excess glucose production. It also prompts the body to produce more insulin during digestion.
Kombiglyze XR contains the same drug as Onglyza (saxagliptin) but also contains metformin, which helps to decrease the amount of sugar the body absorbs and makes a person more sensitive to insulin. Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR both belong to a class of Type 2 diabetes medications called incretin mimetics. Both contain the active ingredient saxagliptin, and work by increasing the amount of incretin released by the intestine.
The dangers of saxagliptin are well-known
In 2014, the FDA issued a safety alert after a study found that saxagliptin was responsible for a 27% increase in the risk of hospitalization for heart failure. The drugs has also been linked to acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. However, the drug is still available for sale, and is still being prescribed despite the known risks. Drugs like Onglyza have also been linked to severe and depilating joint pain, just like the popular drug Januvia.
Your doctor should be aware of your family history, and should not prescribe either of these drugs if you have any risk factors for pancreatitis or a heart condition. However, some doctors may not be aware of the adverse side effects of these drugs because the manufacturers have not been as forthcoming as they should have. If you are taking Onglyza or Kombiglyze XR for Type 2 diabetes, you should discuss alternative treatment options with your doctor.
The experienced attorneys at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC can help you if you have been injured by dangerous drugs or defective medical devices. If you or someone you know has taken Onglyza or Kombiglyze XR and suffered ill effects, visit one of our offices or contact us today for a free consultation at one of our multiple South Carolina offices.
Randy is the former President of the South Carolina Association for Justice. He has been certified by the American Board of Professional Liability as a specialist in Medical Malpractice Law which is recognized by the South Carolina Bar. Randy has also been awarded the distinction of being a “Super Lawyer” 10 times in the last decade. He has over 25 years of experience helping injured people fight back against corporations, hospitals and wrong-doers.
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