The Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) recently issued warnings about Invokana and an increased risk of serious complications which can require hospitalization and dialysis due to kidney failure. The attorneys at Paglialunga & Harris, PS are currently analyzing potential claims for individuals that have suffered side effects from the use of this new diabetes drug from Johnson & Johnson (“J&J”).
Introduced in March 2013 through aggressive marketing techniques, Invokana (canagliflozin) quickly became a highly popular and widely prescribed treatment for type 2 diabetes. The drug is a SGLT2 inhibitor used in combination with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar and improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. However, it now appears that J&J may have withheld important information about the potential risks users may face from Invokana’s dangerous side effects.
The first information about the potential risk of problems with Invokana came two years after its release when, in early 2015, the FDA issued a drug safety communication about reports of users experiencing high levels of acid accumulating in their blood; a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis.
Then, in December 2015, the FDA announced that new warnings must be added to the Invokana label stating that patients should stop using the drug immediately and seek medical assistance if they begin experiencing signs of ketoacidosis side effects, such as:
- Difficulty Breathing
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Abdominal Pain
- Confusion, Fatigue or Sleepiness
Since the FDA’s warnings were announced, injured patients in the U.S. and Canada started filing Invokana lawsuits against J&J and its subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals. These plaintiffs may be eligible for compensation for medical treatment costs, future treatment costs, lost wages and pain and suffering. Further, the pharmaceutical giant may have exposed itself to punitive damages for withholding important safety information about the serious and potentially life-threatening health problems of Invokana.
If you or a loved one has suffered conditions such as Kidney Failure, Heart Attack, Stroke, Diabetic Ketoacidosis or Wrongful Death as a result of taking Invokana contact the lawyers at Paglialunga & Harris, PS.
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