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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been reviewing claims that certain diabetes drugs contribute to heart failure. They finally made their statement on these reviews, releasing their findings in April of 2016.
The safety review concluded that medications used to treat type-2 diabetes that contained the ingredients saxagliptin and alogliptin might increase the risk of heart failure.
Drugs containing saxagliptin and alogliptin are part of the class of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. These medications are used in conjunction with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type-2 diabetes.
Some of the prescription medications that contain these ingredients are:
- Onglyza
- Kombiglyze XR
- Nesina
- Kazano
- Oseni
Health professionals warn patients not to discontinue taking their medication without physician approval. However, patients taking these medications should contact their health professionals immediately if they experience any of the following symptoms:
- Unusual shortness of breath
- When lying down, you have trouble breathing
- Fatigue or weakness
- Weight gain that includes swelling in the feet, legs, or stomach
Before issuing these warnings, the FDA reviewed two clinical trials that were conducted in patients with heart disease. Both trials showed that patients who received saxagliptin- and alogliptin-containing medications were hospitalized for heart failure compared to the placebo. 3.5% of patients who received saxagliptin were hospitalized, compared to 2.8% who received the placebo. In the alogliptin trial, 3.9% of those receiving alogliptin were hospitalized, compared to 3.3% of those receiving a placebo.
As a result, the FDA issued new warnings on the drugs.
If you have suffered heart failure or another adverse health event as a result of the prescription drugs listed above, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the “Strong Arm” attorneys at the law offices of John Foy and Associates. Our attorneys will help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today.
