The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety review has recently issued warnings for a commonly used drug for type 2 diabetes. If you are anyone in your family is taking anti-diabetes medications, please read the drug alert carefully.
1 . What Is The Warning?
According to the warning, diabetes medicines containing saxagliptin may increase the risk of heart failure, particularly in patients who already have heart or kidney disease.
2 . What Is Saxagliptin? ( Common brand names: Kombiglyze, Onglyza)
-Saxagliptin belongs to the the class of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor drugs, which are used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
-Saxagliptin acts by inhibiting the enzyme (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4)) which prevents the breakdown of substances called as incretins, ultimately increasing the production of insulin that reduces blood glucose level at fasting and after intake of food.
-Saxagliptin is available as single-ingredient product or in combination with other diabetes medications such as metformin.
3 . What Should The Patients Taking These Medicines Do?
-Patients should not stop taking their medicine without first talking to their doctor.
-Patients who have a pre-existing heart or kidney disease should immediately consult their doctor .
-Patients who do not have any pre existing heart and kidney problems should also seek their doctor’s opinion regarding the use of this medicine.
-Patients should immediately contact their doctor if they develop signs and symptoms of heart failure such as:
-Unusual shortness of breath during daily activities
-Trouble breathing when lying down
-Tiredness, weakness, or fatigue
-Weight gain with swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, or abdomen
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