Invokana Lawsuits

Side effects of Invokana have been linked to reports of severe and potentially life threatening injuries, including kidney failure, amputations, heart attacks and dangerously high blood acid levels, known as ketoacidosis.

STATUS OF INVOKANA LAWSUITS: Product liability lawyers are reviewing whether users who experienced ketoacidosis, heart attacks, leg and foot amputations, or kidney failure may be entitled to financial compensation through an Invokana lawsuit.

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OVERVIEW: Invokana (canagliflozin) was the first in a new class of diabetes drugs, which work by altering normal kidney functions so that sugar is excreted through the urine. It was approved in March 2013 by the FDA, and has rapidly grown to become a blockbuster medication, generating an estimated $1 billion in annual sales.

The class of drugs, known as sodium-glucose costransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, also includes the new medications Farxiga, Glyxambi, Jardiance, and Xigduo XR. They are approved as a second-line drug to treat type 2 diabetes.

Since Invokana was introduced, it has been linked to hundreds of adverse event reports of kidney failure, kidney damage, amputations, and diabetic ketoacidosis, as well as urinary tract infections, hypersensitivity and weight loss.

Lawsuits allege that the drug makers failed to adequately warn consumers and the medical community about the potential risk of Invokana side effects.

INVOKANA AMPUTATION RISKS: In May 2017, the FDA issued yet another safety warning indicating that Invokana could increase the risk of leg and foot amputations.

The drug will carry a boxed warning about the amputation risks, which is the strongest label warning the FDA can require.

A study published in June 2017 in the New England Journal of Medicine again appeared to confirm the amputation risk, indicating that Invokana use increased the risk of leg and foot amputations by 97%.

While some studies suggest the amputation risks are specific to Invokana, a study published in November 2018 warned that the problem appeared to also apply to competing drugs, like Jardiance and Farxiga.

INVOKANA KETOACIDOSIS SIDE EFFECTS: On May 15, 2015, the FDA issued a drug safety communication, warning about the risk of ketoacidosis from Invokana and other diabetes drugs in the same class. In December, that warning was updated, warning patients to stop using the drug immediately at the first signs of ketoacidosis, and to seek medical attention. The FDA also added warnings of urinary tract infections that could be signs of serious blood infections or kidney failure.

Diabetic ketoacidosis involves a build of acid in the blood, which causes serious medical problems that usually require hospitalization or emergency room treatment. In severe cases, Invokana ketoacidosis problems could result in heart attack, death or debilitating long-term injury.

According to the FDA, between the launch of Invokana in March 2013 and June 6, 2014, the agency received at least 20 adverse event reports of users of SGLT2 inhibitors suffering ketoacidosis. These resulted in hospitalization or the need for emergency room visits in every case. The FDA reported that it has continued to receive adverse event reports of similar problems since that time, and the agency is investigating the potential side effects of Invokana and related diabetes treatments.

Symptoms of ketoacidosis from Invokana may result in:

  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Confusion
  • Unusual Sleepiness or Fatigue

Patients who are taking Invokana and suffering these side effects should seek immediate medical attention, the FDA warned.

In a study published in November 2017, Invokana was linked to a higher rate of ketoacidosis injury adverse event reports than its competitors.

INVOKANA KIDNEY FAILURE RISK: Although Invokana works by inhibiting kidney function, and several experts have suggested that the drug makers knew or should have known about the risk of kidney problems from Invokana, potential failure to warn claims are being reviewed for individuals who have suffered kidney failure after using the type 2 diabetes drug.

According to a QuarterWatch report (PDF) issued by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) on May 6, Invokana side effects were linked to 457 reports of serious adverse events submitted to the FDA during the first year the drug was on the market. Since reported adverse events typically only represent a small portion of all problems associated with prescription medications, this suggests that thousands of individuals have experienced Invokana problems since the medication was introduced in March 2013.

Most of the reported adverse events involved Invokana kidney problems, including kidney failure, kidney impairment or problems with kidney stones. They also included urinary tract infections, dehydration, hypersensitivity and abnormal weight loss. Urofungal infections in both men and women were the most frequently reported side effect.

The ISMP has questioned whether the health risks with Invokana may outweigh the benefits provided for diabetics. The group reported that adverse event reports linked to side effects of Invokana were higher than 92% of all drugs ISMP regularly monitors, and the patients experiencing the problems were typically younger than many diabetics.

INVOKANA BONE FRACTURE RISK: In September 2015, the FDA issued a safety warning indicating that Invokana  may increase the risk of bone fractures.

New bone fracture warnings will be added to the “Warning and Precaution” section of the drugs’ label, and revised information will be placed in the “Adverse Reactions” section as well, the agency announced.

 

FIND OUT IF YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR AN INVOKANA KETOACIDOSIS OR KIDNEY FAILURE LAWSUIT: As a result of the drug maker’s failure to adequately warn about the risks associated with their medication, Invokana injury lawyers are evaluating whether users may be entitled to compensation through a product liability lawsuit.

To request a free consultation and claim evaluation to determine whether you, a friend or family member may be entitled to financial compensation through a lawsuit, submit information about a potential Invokana lawsuit for review by a lawyer.

12 Comments

  • AnnaSeptember 14, 2020 at 10:49 pm

    Drug water loss no warning low potassium lead to heart failure.

  • AhemFebruary 2, 2020 at 6:09 am

    Baffled how they listed that their article was updated this January 2020, yet it mentions nothing new that the article didn't mention over a year ago. And absolutely no clue what's been going on with the cases the past year.

  • FirstAugust 2, 2019 at 5:19 am

    It appears their article is a bit outdated. Could use an update.

  • LasalleJanuary 16, 2019 at 12:10 am

    I too contracted a yeast infect as a resort of taking invokana

  • ShirleyMay 23, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    I started taking 300 mg of Invokana about 10 days ago. Approx. one month prior to that I was taking 100 mg of Invokana. I felt fine with the 100 mg., but about a week after taking 300 mg. of it, I started belching. I belched even after a sip of water. I called my dr. and she said to cut the pill in half, which I did today. My belching seems to be lessened. She said to call back in one week if it d[Show More]I started taking 300 mg of Invokana about 10 days ago. Approx. one month prior to that I was taking 100 mg of Invokana. I felt fine with the 100 mg., but about a week after taking 300 mg. of it, I started belching. I belched even after a sip of water. I called my dr. and she said to cut the pill in half, which I did today. My belching seems to be lessened. She said to call back in one week if it doesn't stop.

  • DebMarch 26, 2017 at 7:51 pm

    Ketoacidosis is a side effect of diabetes, not medication. You must be educated on diabetes by a trained educator. Check your blood sugar a minimum of once a day (at different times). High sugars also increase the risk of yeast infections (multiple sites). Diabetes and high blood sugar put your eyes, kidneys, lower extremities, etc. at risk. Get as much education as possible and take control of yo[Show More]Ketoacidosis is a side effect of diabetes, not medication. You must be educated on diabetes by a trained educator. Check your blood sugar a minimum of once a day (at different times). High sugars also increase the risk of yeast infections (multiple sites). Diabetes and high blood sugar put your eyes, kidneys, lower extremities, etc. at risk. Get as much education as possible and take control of your health!!

  • KimberlyMarch 7, 2017 at 9:47 am

    I too Invokana for 8 months, started with yeast infection, then vomiting uncontrollably, i was in icu for four days, i was in ketoacidosis, were i almost died.

  • DAVIDJuly 4, 2016 at 2:48 pm

    Developed protienuria recently. Been on Invokana for 2 years. My Internist Dr Jan S Glowacki refuses to acknowledge or discuss Invokana as a possible cause. He referred me to a Nephrologist, and kicked me out of his practice after 20 years for to quote his letter of intent to me 'irreversible differences in the client physician relationship'.

  • AngelaNovember 17, 2015 at 10:19 am

    I took Invokana for two weeks (300mg) and developed pain and swelling in my legs, wrists, neck and had severe flu like symptoms. I became breathless, exhausted,nauseas and dizzy. Several visits to GPb.lood test and x-rays showed nothing. I stopped taking Invokana and my symptoms have steadily improved over the past two months but I am still experiencing swollen feet and tiredness.

  • JanNovember 9, 2015 at 2:26 am

    I took my 5th pill & ended up in hospital. I tried not to go because I thought I felt TOO sick to go. When my husband said I looked like I was dying...I went. Ketoacidosis. Renal failure. Yeast infection underneath my breasts developed while there. Potassium bottomed. They told me I was dying. Another day & they could not have pulled me through.

  • BetseyAugust 30, 2015 at 3:32 am

    I started taking Invokana late last year and did okay on it except for the yeast infections. However, in the last three weeks I have developed fluid retention in my lower legs, heart palpatations and feeling extremely lightheaded. I went to the ER this past Sunday as I felt like I was going to pass out and my heart was pounding. They did all the tests and everything was fine, just that it was palp[Show More]I started taking Invokana late last year and did okay on it except for the yeast infections. However, in the last three weeks I have developed fluid retention in my lower legs, heart palpatations and feeling extremely lightheaded. I went to the ER this past Sunday as I felt like I was going to pass out and my heart was pounding. They did all the tests and everything was fine, just that it was palpatations. I've never had anything like this happen before and have since stopped taking Invokana.

  • MARIAAugust 27, 2015 at 10:36 pm

    I Just started taking Invokana a few months ago and now I have a yeast infection that won't go away and a UTI that antibiotics are not helping .should I tell my doctor as well as back pain I take tylenol for .

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