Onglyza (saxagliptin) helps type 2 diabetes patients regulate their blood sugar. Lowering blood sugar helps reduce commonly reported diabetes risks, including kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, limb amputations and renal failure. In addition, well-regulated blood glucose levels can reduce heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular event risks. In the past two decades, pharmaceutical companies earned billions in revenue from introducing new drugs that regulate blood glucose levels. While these blood sugar-regulating drugs are incredibly popular, some may also be dangerous — causing complications far worse than uncontrolled diabetes. Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR both work by inhibiting DPP-4 enzyme production, which remove hormones called incretins that stimulate insulin production. Even better, these DPP-4 inhibitors don’t encourage weight gain in type 2 diabetics, unlike other popular blood sugar medications. But medical experts now say that some recently discovered Onglyza side effects may outweigh the drug’s benefits.

Onglyza Side Effects: Heart Failure

Heart failure is among the most significant possible Onglyza side effects. This potentially fatal condition occurs when your heart pumps blood at a slower-than-usual rate. This slower blood pumping rate prevents your body from getting enough oxygen and nutrients required to thrive. Two large 2013 clinical trials revealed serious heart failure and death risks for patients taking DPP-4 inhibitor medications, including Onglyza. The SAVOR-TIMI 53 study followed 16,492 subjects over a seven-year period to see if taking Onglyza could provide heart-protective benefits. Instead, researchers found exactly the opposite. Though Onglyza didn’t contribute to heart attacks, researchers found hospitalization rates for heart failure increased by 27% over placebo-only subjects. They also found the risk for “all-cause mortality” increased for subjects whose medical history included heart failure or kidney impairment.

After reviewing these trial results, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a drug safety communication regarding Onglyza side effects. The FDA warned consumers that Onglyza side effects may include increased risk for heart failure or other serious cardiovascular events. The FDA’s statement concluded, “Health care professionals should consider discontinuing medications containing saxagliptin and alogliptin in patients who develop heart failure and monitor their diabetes control. If a patient’s blood sugar level is not well-controlled with their current treatment, other diabetes medicines may be required.”

Onglyza Side Effects: Pancreatitis & Pancreatic Cancer

Potentially deadly Onglyza side effects go beyond cardiovascular risks to include pancreatitis, which can eventually turn into pancreatic cancer. A 2013 study found pancreatic pre-cancerous cells in patients taking incretin therapy drugs, including people prescribed Onglyza. Researchers noted that these abnormal cells as well as small, benign tumors discovered during the study could eventually become malignant. Pancreatic cancer is often rapidly fatal because it’s often diagnosed during the disease’s later stage, making effective treatment much harder. According to the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 74% of American pancreatic cancer patients die within the first year. For this reason, it is now the third-leading cancer-related death cause in the United States.

Other Commonly Reported Onglyza Side Effects & Health Complications

Several other commonly reported Onglyza side effects are unpleasant but not life-threatening, including:

• Upper respiratory tract infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Headache
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting

However, if you develop any of the below complications while taking Onglyza, you should call your doctor immediately:

• Allergic reaction (any swelling of the throat, face, difficulty breathing, skin rashes, etc.)
• Skin reaction
• Low blood sugar
• Severe joint pain
• Inflammation of the pancreas

If you or a loved one developed life-threatening Onglyza side effects, you may qualify for a cash settlement. Litigation over downplayed Onglyza side effects is ongoing, including 14 New Jersey lawsuits, one in Kentucky as well as one in Texas.