Latest News on Popular Diabetes Drug Invokana, Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Kidney Failure, Death

Side Effects from Invokana, Other Diabetes Drugs

Invokana and other sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor drugs are designed to be used in combination with diet and exercise, to help improve glycemic control and lower blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes. However, serious concerns have been raised recently about the safety of Invokana and similar SGLT2 inhibitor medications, following reports of devastating side effects in diabetic individuals who have taken the drugs. Among the adverse events allegedly linked to SGLT2 inhibitors like Invokana are:

• Diabetic ketoacidosis (acidosis, ketoacidosis)
• Kidney failure
• Heart attack
• Cardiovascular problems
• Wrongful death

Reports of Adverse Events from SGLT2 Inhibitors

During the first year Invokana was on the market, the diabetes drug was named in 457 serious adverse events submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and at least 20 cases of acidosis identified as diabetic ketoacidosis, ketoacidosis or ketosis among users of SGLT2 inhibitor drugs were reported between March 2013 and June 6, 2014. In May 2015, the FDA issued a drug safety warning notifying the public that SGLT2 inhibitors like Invokana may expose patients to diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition characterized by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, breathing problems, abdominal pain, confusion, and unexpected fatigue or sleepiness.

While side effects like diabetic ketoacidosis may be considered a reasonable risk for a diabetes drug that effectively lowers levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), a primary Type 2 diabetes blood sugar measurement, clinical trials have shown that Invokana only lowers these levels by about one percent. And statistics show that Invokana is associated with more serious adverse event reports than 92% of the other prescription drugs regularly monitored by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). However, since only a small percentage of drug side effects are actually reported to the agency, the total number of problems from Invokana and other Type 2 diabetes drugs is likely much higher.

Diabetic ketoacidosis – dangerously high acid levels in the bloodstream – occurs when the body breaks down fat instead of glucose for energy, thereby releasing acidic compounds in the blood called ketones. “Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can be deadly,” warns Amy Hess-Fischl, MS, RD, LDN, BC-ADM, CDE, an advanced practice dietitian at the University of Chicago Kovler Diabetes Center. “DKA is usually more of a concern for people with Type 1 diabetes, but [the recent warning from the FDA] is for people with Type 2 diabetes who are taking the SGLT2 inhibitors, as well as people with Type 1 diabetes who take these medications off label.”

An Experienced Product Liability Lawyer Can Help

As consumers across the country become aware of the potential risks of SGLT2 inhibitor drugs like Invokana, Invokamet and Glyxambi, product liability claims are expected to be filed in the future, against drug manufacturing companies like AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals unit. The lawsuits will likely involve allegations that the drug makers were negligent in failing to provide adequate warnings about the potential risk of side effects associated with the popular prescription medications. If you have suffered serious complications like heart attack or diabetic ketoacidosis, and you believe Invokana or another popular Type 2 diabetes drug to be the cause, contact a reputable drug injury attorney today to explore your possible compensation options.