Did you know that Onglyza may increase your risk of being hospitalized for heart failure? New studies have shown a dangerous link between Onglyza (saxagliptin) and heart problems. Several wrongful death Onglyza lawsuits have already been filed across the country. If you or a loved one have been affected by the drug, you may be eligible to file a claim.
A common misconception is that “heart failure” means a heart attack, a stopped heart, or a heart that is about to stop beating. This is not necessarily true. Heart failure occurs when your heart cannot pump enough blood to keep up with your body’s needs, often due to weak heart muscles. This means that there are low oxygen levels in the bloodstream, which can progressively cause heart muscles to enlarge, lose flexibility, or pump too fast. Heart failure is a chronic disease, which develops over time. However, it is a serious condition that requires ongoing medical care.
The most common symptoms of heart failure are feelings of fatigue and shortness of breath following normal daily activities, such as walking or carrying groceries. Other common symptoms include:
- Coughing/wheezing
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Racing heart
- Confusion
- Edema
In October 2013, a study known as the SAVOR study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. In this study, researchers looked at 16,492 patients with type-2 diabetes who had a history of heart disease. For 2.1 years, these patients were either given Onglyza or a placebo. Results showed that 3.5% of patients taking Onglyza were hospitalized for heart failure, whereas only 2.8% of patients taking the placebo were hospitalized. This means that there is a 27% increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure linked to Onglyza.
More recently, in April 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted 14-1 to require new safety information, regarding heart failure, be added to Onglyza’s label.
Contact an Onglyza Attorney
If you’ve suffered from heart failure due to Onglyza, or if a loved one has died, you may have a case against the drug’s manufacturer AstraZeneca. Contact an experienced Onglyza lawyer at Jones Ward, PLC for free today by filling out our online form or by calling us at 888-595-2922.