Invokana® is a specialized Type II diabetes medication that works by stopping glucose from being reabsorbed into the blood stream.
This prescription medication can lead to ketoacidosis, a serious condition that can lead to hospitalization, dehydration, UTIs (urinary tract infections), cardiovascular disease, kidney injuries, swelling of the brain, and even death.
If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of taking Invokana®, contact our team of personal injury attorneys now for your FREE case evaluation.
Invokana® is a newer medicine on the market. In fact, in 2013, the FDA approved this medication.
In mid-2015, the FDA quickly made an announcement to medical professionals and consumers that Invokana® may lead to a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis. When this condition is left untreated, it can be fatal to patients.
At the end of 2015, FDA moved to require that the manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, add a warning label to Invokana® that stated that there was an increased risk of urinary tract infections and ketoacidosis.
In addition, a new study in 2016 showed that patients who take Invokana® may have a doubled risk of foot and leg amputations. The clinical trial revealed that 7 out of every 1,000 patients who took 100 milligrams of Invokana® a day needed to receive an amputation.
With the prescription still on the market, it is important that patients pay close attention to any symptoms they may experience while taking this medication.
Some of the symptoms and side effects to look out for include:
- Increased heart rate
- Chest pain
- Changes in urination
- Sleepiness or fatigue
- Difficulty breathing
- Weakness in your body
- Hyperventilation
- Nausea or vomiting
- Severe abdominal pain
All patients who are taking Invokana® need to watch for signs of heart or kidney problems and should work closely with their doctor to properly monitor any issues that may arise.
Moreover, in May of 2017, the FDA also announced that two large clinical trials had shown a causal link between the use of the type 2 diabetes medicine canagliflozin – the active ingredient in Invokana, Invokamet and Invokamet XR – and an increased risk of leg and foot amputations. The warning about this severe and potentially catastrophic side effect was placed on the medicine boxes as recently as July 2017.
Patients who took Invokana® prior to the FDA announcement regarding the risks associated with this prescription medication may have suffered harm due to no fault of their own.
If the proper warning for side effects and risks was released, patients may have chosen alternative treatments before selecting Invokana®.
If you would like to discuss your options for filing an Invokana® claim, contact Hughes & Coleman now for a FREE case evaluation.
Recently, more than 900 product liability lawsuits against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary that manufactures Invokana®, were consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey. Among the plaintiffs are both patients and the families of victims who suffered serious complications allegedly related to Invokana®. The plaintiffs are claiming that the drug caused severe medical impairment as well as stress, pain and anxiety; they are also pursuing compensation for financial losses due to medical expenses and lost wages.
In addition, Johnson & Johnson concedes that there have been additional lawsuits brought in relation to Invokana® before federal courts in California and Missouri. There are additional cases pending in the state courts in Pennsylvania, California and New Jersey.
The first Invokana® bellwether trial has been scheduled for September 2018. The trial will involve a total of 12 plaintiffs, 6 of whom developed diabetic ketoacidosis following ingestion of Invokana®, while 6 others suffered kidney failure. Bellwether trials serve as test cases whose results set a legal precedent for similar future trials. Normally, a bellwether trial is scheduled in relation to mass tort cases where there is a large number of plaintiffs and the courts find it difficult to manage the caseload. A group of plaintiffs is selected to represent all the plaintiffs and the verdict is later used as a gauge for future settlements.
OUR PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS WILL FIGHT FOR YOU
If you think that you may have an Invokana® lawsuit in Tennessee or Kentucky, contact the team at Hughes & Coleman today. We will take the time to sit down with you and review your case and all paperwork associated with your medical records.
It is important that you do not wait to file your claim. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical bills. Our team of lawyers will help you recover any compensation that you may be eligible to receive.
If you or someone you love has been injured or developed a serious medical condition due to taking Invokana®, contact Hughes & Coleman now! We offer FREE case evaluations and are available 24/7 to help you.
Cases likely to be referred.
Do not stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting your doctor. Discontinuing a prescribed medication without your doctor’s advice can result in injury or death.