Invokana Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Kidney Damage Lawyers

Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., is reviewing claims of patients who suffered diabetic ketoacidosis or kidney injury after using the Invokana diabetes drug.

Why Are Drug Lawsuits Being Filed?

Patients and their families have filed lawsuits in courts across the country against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the company which developed and manufactured Invokana and its sister drug, Invokamet.

The plaintiffs allege that Janssen failed to adequately test the drug before it went on the U.S. market and to properly warn about the increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis and kidney damage associated with Invokana.

In December 2016, Invokana lawsuits filed in federal courts were centralized in the District of New Jersey (MDL No. 2750). Centralization cuts down on the time and costs involved with pretrial litigation and avoid inconsistent rulings. Unlike a class action lawsuit, each legal claim remains separate and distinct in this type of multidistrict litigation.

What Is Invokana?

Invokana (canagliflozin) is a type of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Invokana in 2013. The drug received that approval even though “clinical trials revealed some signs of elevated stroke risk and a small increase in patients’ experiencing heart attacks within the first 30 days of taking the medicine,” the New York Times reports.

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) and Jardiance  (empagliflozin) are other SGLT-2 inhibitors sold in the U.S. Invokamet, also produced by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, is a combination of Invokana and metformin hydrochloride.

When combined with diet and exercise, Invokana lowers blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. The drug prevents blood sugar from being reabsorbed in the blood stream after it passes through the kidneys and forces the sugar to be excreted through one’s urine.

Invokana sales were projected to reach $468 million in 2016, Reuters reports.

What Are Invokana Side Effects?

Unfortunately, Invokana carries many serious side effects, including:

  • Low blood pressure
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Yeast infections
  • Elevated LDL cholesterol.

In May 2015, the FDA issued a warning that Invokana and other SGLT-2 inhibitors could cause diabetic ketoacidosis. This is a potentially life-threatening condition. It occurs when the body must break down fat and muscle for energy due to a lack of glucose.

In 2016, the FDA issued a warning about an additional side effect associated with SGLT-2 inhibitors. According to the agency, the drugs had been linked to acute kidney injury requiring hospitalization and dialysis.

Roughly half of the cases of acute kidney injury arose within the first month of starting the drug, the FDA reported. Most patients’ condition improved after they discontinued use.

Diabetic ketoacidosis may require immediate treatment and hospitalization. If you believe that you are suffering harmful side effects, you should contact a doctor without delay.

At some point, you should also report the event to the FDA’s MedWatch program.

What Compensation Can You Pursue in an Invokana Lawsuit?

Patients who have suffered diabetic ketoacidosis or kidney damage after taking the Invokana diabetes drug – or, in some cases, their families – may be entitled to damages that include:

  • Past and future medical expenses, including the costs of hospitalization, insulin, fluid and carbohydrate replacement and dialysis
  • Lost income and diminished future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering, including emotional anguish
  • Wrongful death damages if the drug caused the loss of a loved one.

An experienced drug injury lawyer can thoroughly review your case and determine whether you are eligible for compensation and, if so, the proper amount to seek in damages in your case.

Our Lawyers Can Help with Your Invokana Injury Case

Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., is a national leader in defective drug litigation. For more than 30 years, we have protected the rights of patients and families impacted by dangerous drugs. Our record includes more than $400 million secured for our clients.

We use the services of experienced medical professionals and conduct our own thorough research and investigation into drug injury cases. In this way, we prepare strong individual cases against manufacturers on behalf of our clients.

We can provide a timely, free and confidential consultation about your case today. We will review your legal rights and options and answer any questions you may have about your case.

We will charge no fees or costs unless we obtain a financial recovery for you. Contact us today to learn more.

More Information About Invokana