Important Information for All Invokana Patients
Invokana has been championed as an effective solution for patients who struggle with type-2 diabetes, a condition in which the body has difficulty producing insulin. The drug belongs to a class of drugs called sodium glucose co-transporters 2 (SGLT2s), which also includes popular drugs such as Jardiance and Farxiga as well. Recently, there has been a massive debate about the potential for these drugs to cause life-threatening side effects in patients, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has even forced the maker of Invokana to change the warning label to reflect this.
How Does Invokana Work?
The human body utilizes glucose (sugar) for energy, and the hormone insulin ensures that it is properly distributed to cells throughout the body. When a patient fails to produce an adequate amount of insulin, excess sugar can accumulate in the blood, which results in a diagnosis of type-2 diabetes. SGLT2s help by bringing a patient’s blood sugar down to a healthy and manageable level.
Ketoacidosis and Invokana Use
There have been several studies conducted on Invokana and other drugs in its class. A research article in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism discussed SGLT2s’ potential to cause a condition known as ketoacidosis. This condition occurs when the body attempts to burn fat instead of sugar for fuel, resulting in a high level of acid in the blood. Ketoacidosis is usually triggered when insulin levels become dangerously low. The study found that patients who are prescribed SGLT2s are at a higher risk of developing ketoacidosis.
Other Side Effects
The FDA has also found a link between SGLT2s and kidney problems. Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys stop working, and waste and toxins accumulate in the body. Over 101 verified cases of kidney damage and failure had been reported to the FDA as of October 2015. These drugs have also been found to cause urinary tract infections, heart attacks, and hypoglycemia in some type-2 diabetes patients. There have been numerous cases filed by former Invokana patients against Janssen. The majority of the cases allege that Janssen failed to properly warn the public about the potential for serious side effects.
We Fight for Your Rights
If you have experienced ketoacidosis after taking Invokana, or any of the conditions listed above, the legal professionals at Farah & Farah are ready to fight for your rights. We believe that drug companies have a moral obligation to disclose all relevant information about their drugs, but we realize that some companies simply refuse to do this. Contact our Jacksonville, Florida law office at (800) 533-3555 to discuss your case.
