The FDA has approved a once-daily oral fixed dose medication called Qtern. Qtern combines Onglyza, a DPP-4 inhibitor and an SGLT2 inhibitor called Farxiga. Qtern is for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. DDP-4 inhibitors like Onglyza are being linked to heart failure while SGLT2 inhibitors like Invokana are being linked to severe kidney damage.
Dangerous Onglyza Combination
Multiple studies show that Onglyza brings a 35% increased risk of heart failure. Heart failure is a potentially deadly condition. It arises when the heart does not pump blood thoroughly enough to satisfy the needs of the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart failure contributed to 1 in every 9 deaths in the U.S. in 2009. Half of all people who develop heart failure will die within 5 years of the diagnosis, according to the CDC.
So, AstraZeneca decides to mix a deadly heart-failure-inducing drug with an SGLT2 inhibitor. A sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor is a class of Type 2 diabetes medication. It lowers blood sugar by causing the kidneys to remove sugar from the body via urine. The blood won’t then reabsorb the sugar. These inhibitors like Invokana can lead to ketoacidosis. This is a serious condition where the body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones. It may require hospitalization.
Other risks of SGLT2 inhibitors may also include:
- Ketoacidosis, which may lead to diabetic coma or death
- Cardiovascular complications
- Kidney damage or failure
- Bone fracture risk
- Decreased bone mineral density
Onglyza Cocktail Rejected Previously
In 2015, manufacturer AstraZeneca submitted the Onglyza mixture to the FDA for approval. The FDA rejected it stating they wanted to see more clinical data. This didn’t deter the pharmaceutical company since they estimated that combining Onglyza and Forxiga could generate $3 billion in sales annually.
Be Careful
Be warned that this drug may do more harm than good. If you have already been harmed by Onglyza or Invokana, you need an experienced law firm with the resources and knowledge to get you the compensation you deserve. The Michael Brady Lynch Firm has decades of experience at recovering millions for clients. We will take whatever legal measures are necessary when fighting for your rights to damages.