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All drugs come with side-effects. It just takes watching the television for a bit to see a commercial marketing a new drug to find a list of them. Some of the side-effects are known prior to its approval while others are not known until after the commercial release of the drug. Unfortunately, some of these side-effects can be painful and in some cases, fatal.
AstraZeneca manufactured diabetes drug Onglyza has been linked to increased risk of pancreatitis as well as pre-cancerous pancreatic tumors requiring removal.
Onglyza is one of a new kind of drugs intended to treat diabetes. Referred to as a DDP-4 drug, the medication stimulates the pancreas to make more insulin after a meal.
In a study released in December 2015, in which researchers examined data from 3 separate studies on DDP-4 drugs, more patients taking the drug suffered from acute pancreatitis than those taking the placebo. Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, anorexia, and acute stomach pain.
Also linked to the drug were increased risks of an enlarged pancreas and pre-cancerous changes to the pancreas. Pre-cancerous tumors must be removed surgically, leading those taking medications like Onglyza to be at increased risk for needing pancreatic surgery.
In 2013, an article was published in the British Medical Journal reported that the BMJ had found growing safety concerns related to DDP-4 drugs. Investigations editor of the BMJ Deborah Cohen stated that the manufacturers of such drugs had downplayed the risks of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
The drug Onglyza has also been linked to increased instances of hospitalization for heart failure.
If you have suffered an adverse health event due to taking the prescribed drug Onglyza, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the law offices of John Foy & Associates. The “Strong Arm” attorneys will work to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today.
