The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that users of Onglyza may have a high risk of developing congestive heart failure. During a recent advisory committee meeting, the FDA passed requirements that Onglyza labels be updated with clear warnings of the risk of developing heart failure from using the product. Previously, this warning was not including on Onglyza labels.
If either you or a family member took Onglyza and then suffered heart failure, or a family member died, you may have grounds to request compensation through an Atlanta Onglyza lawsuit. Please be aware that AstraZeneca is a large company with an entire team of skilled attorneys who represent the company’s interests in lawsuits.
Contact Dalimonte Rueb Stoller to learn more about your rights and to receive a free consultation with an Atlanta mass tort lawyer.
How And Why Is Onglyza Linked With Heart Failure?
In America, cardiovascular disease is among the leading health issues that result in death in both women and men. The CDC reports that almost 610,000 deaths are attributed to heart disease every year. That equates to 1 out of 4 deaths each year in the US.
For individuals who have type 2 diabetes and use Onglyza, there is an alarming link between the medication and their health problems. The FDA began an investigation into Onglyza and how the risk of heart failure is increased after there were growing concerns about the drug in the US. There were some worrying issues that were uncovered by the investigation that resulted in additional warnings for heart failure risk that were linked with Kombiglyze XR and Onglyza.
Is There A Link Between Pancreatic Cancer And Onglyza?
The pancreas is stimulated by Onglyza to release more insulin. That is why this medication is linked to users potentially facing an increase in the risk of pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis.
A 2013 study focused on how the pancreas was affected by DDP-4 inhibitors. It found that the study participants with type 2 diabetes who use Onglyza had a higher chance to develop an enlarged pancreas. Also, they had an increased risk of their pancreas developing precancerous cellular changes, which suggests a high potential of developing pancreatic cancer.
In March 2013, another drug safety alert was issued by the FDA that stated it was examining research findings that suggested a high possibility of precancerous cellular changes and pancreatitis in individuals who used incretin mimetic for treating their type 2 diabetes. Drugs that were listed as incretin mimetics included Byetta, Onglyza, Januvia, and Nesina.
In 2014 another study was conducted where researchers analyzed the data from a major Onglyza clinical trial. It did not find a risk of pancreatitis or signs of pancreatic cancer.
Is Onglyza Linked With Thyroid Cancer?
The incretin mimetic Victoza has some similarities that it shares with Onglyza. It was found that it caused acute pancreatitis and thyroid cancer in rodents who were given “clinically relevant” dosages of the drug. A safety warning was issued by the FDA in June 2011 that stated that the use of Victoza had a risk of thyroid cancer. The FDA also received numerous reports of individuals who were diagnosed with thyroid cancer after they used prescribed incretin mimetics like Januvia (sitagliptin) and Byetta (exenatide).
Has Onglyza Been Recalled?
No recalls have been announced to date, and it is not likely that one will be issued in the near future. Although recalls do not appear to be forthcoming, the reality of cancers, heart failures, and other potentially fatal health issues cannot be ignored or overlooked. The medication Vioxx was recalled as a result of it causing heart attacks and strokes, as well as other cardiovascular problems.
It is expected that Onglyza, as well as other incretin memetics, that are discovered to increase the risk of heart failure will suffer the same fate. However, it appears that the only serious measure that has been taken for those medications with such serious side effects is demanding that additional safety warnings be included by the manufacturers on their product labels.
Are There Any Ongoing Class Action Lawsuits That Involve Onglyza?
It is rare for drug injury lawsuit to be filed as class actions where several plaintiffs represent everyone who has a case against the drug company. Instead, these cases are filed individually in Atlanta, GA.
The US Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation in January 2018 ordered that the existing lawsuits that had been filed against Onglyza and Kombiglyze be consolidated in the US District Court of the Eastern District of Kentucky. There were about 100 of those cases that formed into consolidated litigation referred to as MDL 2808 by May 2018. The California State Court still has other lawsuits that are pending.
Is It Possible to File An Atlanta Onglyza Lawsuit Without An FDA Recall?
It was recommended by the FDA panel that a clear warning be included about an increased risk of heart failure on Onglyza labels. However, the directive caused many to ask why this warning was not included ten years ago when the product was first released.
And if that is what the current state of affairs is, that means numerous patients who used Onglyza over the last ten years were not aware of the potential health risk. Therefore, they may have suffered severe side effects without knowing what the cause was.
According to the law, patients who took Onglyza and then suffered heart failure are eligible to seek compensation since the pharmaceutical companies who make the drug have failed to provide adequate safety warnings about this likely outcome to the public.
Get Legal Assistance From A Dalimonte Rueb Stoller Onglyza Lawyer
If either you or a family member used Onglyza and then suffered hospitalization, heart failure, or a family died due to taking the drug, then the dedicated class action lawyers at Dalimonte Rueb Stoller are here to help you. We have represented numerous individuals all over the country. This has given us a deep understanding of how such pharmaceutical companies as AstraZeneca and Bristol Meyers Squibb are expected under the law to make sure patients and doctors are fully aware of the risks that are associated with using their drugs. Failing to do that means those manufacturers are liable for damages suffered by individuals who use their medications.
Our Atlanta class-action law firm has dealt with many Onglyza-related cases and thoroughly understand what its flaws are. So we are your best option if you want to take on the Onglyza makers and win. Call our law offices now at (833) 44-DRLAW for more information on your rights, a case review, and a free consultation.
