Onglyza is a popular medication prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes. However, some serious side effects have been linked to this drug, including possible heart failure. Anyone who has taken or is taking this medication should know more about it.
What Onglyza Does
The drug, Onglyza, was designed to help control blood sugar for patients with diabetes. A side benefit is that Onglyza doesn’t cause people to gain weight like other medications prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. It was approved in 2009 by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Issues with Onglyza
It was quickly discovered that Onglyza is associated with numerous side effects. Some of these include the following:
- Sore throat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Urinary tract infection
- Runny nose and nasal congestion
- Headache
- Low blood sugar
- Infections of the upper respiratory tract
- Pancreatitis
The medication can even lead to pancreatic cancer and heart failure. The risk of heart failure also means a higher death rate due to the medication. A previous study of 16,000 patients revealed that those who used Onglyza had a higher chance of hospitalization. Patients may have been diagnosed with other serious health issues, but the Onglyza increased the risk of dying for those who were prescribed this medication.
What the Risk Means
The increased risk for heart failure is a serious problem for patients and patients should take this risk very seriously. Patients who take Onglyza has a 27 percent higher risk of requiring hospitalization. Anyone experiencing the following symptoms while taking Onglyza should contact a medical provider immediately:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling in the hands, ankles or feet
- Irregular heartbeat
- Fatigue
- Persistent coughing
- Wheezing
You shouldn’t stop taking the medication unless directed by your doctor, but you should let your physician know about your symptoms immediately.
Heart failure can happen over time with a chronic condition or it may be acute and sudden. Some of the symptoms of heart failure include:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Swelling in your legs, feet and ankles
- Shortness of breath, especially when you are active or lying down
- Rapid heartbeat or irregular
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Difficulty concentrating or lack of alertness
It’s important to contact a doctor if you think you may be experiencing heart failure. Many people think they must have chest pains if they are experiencing heart failure. However, other symptoms may be indicators of heart failure. You may not have any pain in your chest. None of the above symptoms should be discounted or ignored.
For more information about Onglyza, read the FDA’s updated drug safety communication regarding Onglyza here.
Side effects of a medication like Onglyza aren’t to be taken lightly. It’s always better to contact a medical provider even if you think the side effects aren’t serious. If you or a loved one has experienced heart failure because of this drug, you may be entitled to compensation for the cost of treatment. Contact a New Orleans defective drug attorney who is experienced in this area to discuss your situation and determine if you have a case for your health problems.
Nationwide Defective Drug Attorneys
The New Orleans defective drug attorneys of The Olinde Firm represent Onglyza patents from across the nation.
Contact our office at (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to schedule a free legal consultation with one of our product liability attorneys.