Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for Onglyza use as follows:
- Heart failure: Heart failure is a condition when the heart muscle goes weak and is unable to pump blood efficiently. Individuals with heart failure present with reduced blood supply to many vital organs in the body, thus compromising their function. Use of onglyza can sometimes contribute to significant fluid retention in the body. Retained fluid can increase the blood volume and add extra load on the failing heart in individuals with congestive heart failure and can lead to worsening of heart failure symptoms and cardiac function. This can profoundly reduce blood supply to many vital organs in the body, thus grossly compromising their function. Patients can present with findings such as, increasing edema, sharp weight gain from retained fluid, progressively increasing shortness of breath, compromised endurance, and worsening fatigue. Any new development or worsening of these findings while taking onglyza must be reported to the physician for appropriate interventions. Onglyza could be avoided for a safer alternative in individuals with poor cardiac function.
- History of acute pancreatitis: A rare, but serious side effect of using onglyza is acute pancreatitis, a condition of acute inflammation of pancreas. Individuals with history of pancreatitis could be at increased risk for recurrence of the condition with onglyza intake. Such individuals should let their physician know of their health history and discuss their safety with onglyza use. Individuals with acute pancreatitis can present with symptoms, such as, severe upper abdominal pain, radiating to the back, along with severe nausea and vomiting. Any new development or worsening of symptoms of pancreatitis while taking onglyza must be reported to the physician for appropriate interventions. Onglyza could be avoided for a safer alternative in individuals with history of pancreatitis.
