Diabetics in Danger After Drug Sparks Health Alert, Irish Medicines Board Reveals

DIABETICS have been warned about a drug used to lower blood sugar which has been linked to severe side-effects. Patients have suffered "serious hypersensitivity reactions" including anaphylactic shock and acute pancreatitis. The drug saxagliptin, with the brand name Onglyza, is the subject of a warning from both the Irish Medicines Board and the European Medicines Agency. It is prescribed for patients with Type 2 diabetes as part of a diet and exercise programme and is designed to lower blood sugar.