The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned doctors and patients that the type 2 diabetes drug Invokana can cause ketoacidosis and other severe side effects.
If you or a loved one suffered ketoacidosis, impaired kidney function or other side effects while taking Invokana, you may be able to file an Invokana lawsuit to obtain compensation. The defective drug lawyers at Roden Law know how to build a strong case as we attempt to hold the manufacturer liable for the physical, financial and emotional effects of your personal injuries. We understand how damaging defective drugs can be to your health and many other aspects of your life.
Schedule a free, no-obligation legal consultation right now to discuss your injuries and learn about your potential legal options. If we determine you have grounds for a case and are owed compensation, we will represent you on contingency, so you will not owe legal fees unless you receive compensation.
Contact Roden Law today to discuss filing an Invokana lawsuit.
Invokana Side Effects
The FDA approved Invokana for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in 2014 and it quickly became one of the most popular Type 2 diabetes drugs on the market.
Invokana is part of a class of medications known as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. These medications work by stimulating the kidneys to remove more glucose from the blood, as diabetes patients have high blood glucose levels. If people with type 2 diabetes do not reduce blood-glucose levels, they are at risk of severe health problems, including heart disease, kidney damage or blindness.
Unfortunately, research and FDA warnings have linked Invokana to a variety of severe, possibly life-threatening side effects, including:
Ketoacidosis
This is a buildup of acid in the blood, which can be caused by having high blood sugar for too long. If you do not treat diabetic ketoacidosis you risk passing out, going into a coma or possibly dying.
That is why it is so important to watch for any signs of ketoacidosis if you take Invokana, including:
- Labored breathing
- Fruity-smelling breath
- Excessive urination
- Intense thirst
- Abdominal pain
- Trouble concentrating
- Nausea and vomiting, particularly vomiting for more than two hours
- Confusion
- Fatigue or sleepiness
- Flushed skin
If you experience these or any other symptoms of ketoacidosis, seek medical treatment immediately. This condition is usually treated by giving patients insulin intravenously to lower ketone levels in the blood. Patients are also given fluids intravenously to help them stay hydrated.
Kidney Damage
Patients taking Invokana are also at risk of suffering kidney damage, and possibly kidney failure. Signs of kidney impairment include:
- Kidney stones
- Unusual loss in weight
- Dehydration
- Persistent itching
- Trouble sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- High blood pressure that is difficult to control
If you experience these health problems, contact a doctor right away to determine if you have kidney problems.
Other Injuries
Other potential side effects of Invokana include:
- Urinary tract infections
- Low blood pressure
- Broken bones
- Rashes, itching, hives or skin redness
- Constipation
- Yeast infections
- Vaginal itching
If you suffered ketoacidosis or other side effects while taking Invokana, contact our attorneys about filing an Invokana lawsuit.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form right now.
FDA Warnings About Invokana
The FDA has issued multiple warnings about side effects from Invokana. The first came in May 2015 after the FDA received 20 reports of Invokana patients suffering ketoacidosis. All of these patients had to go to the emergency room or be hospitalized to treat ketoacidosis.
The FDA issued a drug safety communication warning doctors and consumers that SGLT2 inhibitors like Invokana and Invokamet can cause ketoacidosis. It told patients who take these medications and experience any symptoms of ketoacidosis to seek medical attention right away. However, patients should not stop taking the medication without talking to their doctor.
The drug safety alert said the FDA would continue investigating the issue and determine if changes were needed for the prescribing information for SGLT2 inhibitors.
In December 2015, the FDA updated this drug safety communication to notify consumers and doctors of additions to the Warnings and Precautions on SGLT2 labels to advise of the risk of ketoacidosis.
The communication noted that a review of the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database identified 73 cases of ketoacidosis in patients being treated with SGLT2 inhibitors. In many of these cases, doctors did not immediately recognize ketoacidosis because blood glucose levels were below what is typically expected for ketoacidosis.
The dangerous drug lawyers at Roden Law can review your situation in a free consultation to determine if we can file an Invokana lawsuit to pursue fair compensation.
Call Roden Law at 1-844-RESULTS or fill out a Free Case Evaluation form.
Research on Risks of Taking Invokana
Multiple studies have shown the dangers of taking Invokana. In 2015, researchers at the University of San Diego conducted an 18-week study of 351 patients who took Invokana to treat type 1 diabetes.
Patients were given a placebo or 100 mg or 300 mg doses of the drug at random. None of the patients who took the placebo suffered ketoacidosis, but five patients who took 100 mg doses and seven who took 300 mg doses did. One of the conclusions from the study is that lower doses of Invokana may be necessary to prevent ketoacidosis.
In 2017, the FDA announced the results of two large clinical trials with the type 2 diabetes medications Invokana, Invokamet, Invokamet XR. The trials revealed that taking these medications increased the risk for leg and foot amputations. Leg and foot amputations happened about twice as often in patients treated with these medications compared to those taking a placebo.
Victims of these side effects may be able to file an Invokana lawsuit to obtain compensation for medical bills and other damages.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form right now.
Invokana Lawsuits
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the manufacturer of Invokana, is currently facing hundreds of lawsuits filed by people who suffered side effects like ketoacidosis and kidney damage. Many of these cases were combined into a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) in New Jersey. As of December 2017, more than 990 cases are pending in the Invokana MDL. There are also cases in federal court in Missouri and California.
These lawsuits make various allegations against the manufacturer of Invokana, including that the manufacturer:
- Concealed knowledge that SGLT2 drugs pose an unreasonably dangerous risk of side effects like ketoacidosis, blood infections, kidney issues and amputations
- Should have warned the public before the FDA updated warnings on the labels in December 2015
- Failed to adequately test the drug
- Misled physicians by downplaying risks of Invokana
- Used deceptive advertising
The first bellwether trial in the MDL is scheduled for September 2018. There will be 11 other bellwether trials in this MDL.
There are currently no settlements or verdicts in any Invokana lawsuits.
Schedule a free, no-obligation legal consultation today.
Contact Us About an Invokana Lawsuit Today
Have you suffered severe or life-threatening side effects while taking the diabetes drug Invokana?
You could be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, lost enjoyment of life and other damages through an Invokana lawsuit. Contact a defective drug lawyer at our firm right now for a free, no-obligation legal consultation.
You will not owe legal fees unless we are able to help you recover compensation for your case.