The FDA has launched an investigation pertaining to the type 2 diabetes drug saxagliptin. The FDA requested clinical trial data from the manufacturer to review the possible association with the use of this drug and heart failure.
Have Recent Studies Linked Heart Failure To Saxagliptin?
The FDA requested data from clinical trials as a result of statistics published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The data showed a small rise in hospitalizations for heart failure among patients using saxagliptin. The data was published by NEJM in September and was based on the study supported by AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb Co.
However, the study did not find an increase in the rate of deaths or other cardiovascular risks like heart attack or strokes in patients who have received saxagliptin.
The FDA asked that the trial be submitted by early March in which it would be analyzed and publicly report the findings.
Given the details of this study the FDA said it considers the information provided by NEJM to be preliminary.
Should You Still Take Saxagliptin?
Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which there is a high level of sugar or glucose in the blood because the body does make or properly use the hormone insulin. If it is left untreated type 2 diabetes can lead to serious problems.
Saxagliptin is used to along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar or glucose in the blood because the body does not make or properly use the hormone insulin.
According to the FDA, health care professionals should continue to prescribe the drug according to the recommendation on the drug’s label.
If you are taking this drug and have any symptoms of heart conditions speak with your local health care provider.