New scientific evidence shows using the medication Onglyza, a popular type 2 diabetes drug, increases a user’s risk for heart failure. Clinical trials have confirmed that diabetic individuals taking Onglyza, especially those who have existing major organ complications, dramatically increase their possibility of experiencing heart failure. These findings have recently prompted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require the makers of Onglyza to include the potential threat of heart failure on the drug’s warning label. Although notice of this Onglyza caused condition has now been provided in updated packaging and material, some prior diabetic users have not sought treatment for their potentially serious heart condition because they were not reasonably warned of the cardiovascular risk before using the product.

Cardiac failure or dysfunction is often not identified in patients until they are hospitalized, despite the presence of physical symptoms beforehand.  As early indicators of the deadly condition are associated with more common sicknesses (fatigue, weight gain, breathing difficulties, palpitations), heart failure can be initially overlooked as a possible diagnosis. If a diabetic Onglyza user experiences any of the indications listed above, they should be aware their diabetes medication could be the culprit. As these irregularities are noticed, users of this medication need to immediately report these symptoms to a physician.  Consulting a doctor is a necessary first step in receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment for heart failure.

Current knowledge reveals that heart failure has four distinct stages, all being characterized by different symptoms and requiring different types of treatment. As such, solutions are multifaceted, including a combination of lifestyle changes, as well as medication and surgical procedures. Doctors prescribe oral medications with the intent of helping increase blood flow by relieving blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, widening blood vessels, or preventing clots.  In addition to medication, a patient can also expect routine monitoring from a radiology department (x-ray, MRI, CT, electrocardiogram [ECG] or echocardiogram). For more advanced cases, surgery may be an effective treatment option depending on how a patient’s blood flow is observed. Operational procedures include bypass surgery, bypass grafting, or percutaneous coronary intervention (PFI). These surgeries manipulate a patient’s blood flow to avoid artery blockage.  If a patient’s cardiac failure results from an irregular beat, a medical device can be implanted to monitor (pacemaker) or correct (cardioverter-defibrillator [ICD]) the heart’s rhythm. In the most extreme cases, after conservative treatments and surgeries have been considered and rejected, a doctor may recommend a heart transplant.

To date, research shows that 3.5% of all users of Onglyza have developed heart failure. The manufacturers of the drug, AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb, have put these patients at risk by not properly studying and warning about the dangerous side effects of Onglyza before introducing it to the market. Our skillful lawyers fight to obtain compensation for individuals who have been wrongly harmed by dangerous and defective products like Onglyza. If you or someone you know has suffered from or developed heart failure from taking Onglyza,  the attorneys at the Yost Legal Group may be able to help. For a free consultation, please call 1-800-YOSTLAW.