Invokana & Invokamet

The prescription drugs Invokana^® (canagliflozin) and Invokamet^® (canagliflozin and metformin) are used to treat Type 2 diabetes. However, they have been linked to an increased risk of dangerous side effects, including a potentially fatal condition known as ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is a serious medical condition that results in the body releasing dangerous acids into the bloodstream.

If you or your loved one took Invokana or Invokamet and experienced severe side effects, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our drug injury lawyers to see how we can help.

Side Effects of Invokana^® and Invokamet^®

An increased risk of the following dangerous conditions and side effects has been linked to Invokana and Invokamet:

• Ketoacidosis
• Hyperkalemia (too much potassium in the blood)
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Coma
• Kidney failure
• Fluid buildup in the brain (cerebral edema)
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Death of bowel tissue due to low blood pressure
• Stroke

If you or your family member took Invokana or Invokamet and experienced any of these side effects, contact us immediately. Our drug injury lawyers may be able to help you recover compensation.

Invokana^® and Invokamet^® Ketoacidosis Risk

Invokana and Invokamet are classified as SGLT2 inhibitors, a class of drugs prescribed to treat patients with Type 2 diabetes. Ketoacidosis is a serious medical condition normally associated with patients with Type 1 diabetes.

Since March 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received more than 70 reports of acidosis—including diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and ketosis—among Type 2 diabetics treated with SGLT2 inhibitors, such as Invokana and Invokamet. Life-threatening blood infections that started as urinary tract infections were also reported.

In December 2015, the FDA announced the addition of new warnings to all SGLT2 inhibitor labels to address the risk of ketoacidosis and serious urinary tract infections.

What Triggers Ketoacidosis?

The FDA reports that three factors may potentially trigger ketoacidosis in patients taking drugs such as Invokana and Invokamet:

1. Major illness
2. Reduced food and fluid intake
3. Reduced insulin dose

Symptoms of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Ketoacidosis occurs when the body cannot break down sugars in the blood due to a lack of insulin. The body then begins to break down fats for energy, which releases acids (called ketones) into the bloodstream. If left untreated, ketoacidosis can be fatal.

Symptoms of Ketoacidosis can include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Fatigue or sleepiness
• Fruity breath
• Flushed face
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Confusion

If you or a family member with diabetes experience any of these symptoms after taking Invokana, Invokamet, or another SGLT2 inhibitor, seek medical care immediately.

Our Invokana^® Lawyers Want to Help

If you or someone you love took Invokana or Invokamet and suffered serious side effects, we want to help you get compensation for your injuries. There are strict deadlines for filing drug injury lawsuits, so contact us immediately. Our experienced legal team is standing by to answer your questions.

Invokana^® and Invokamet^® are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Corporation and are used here only to identify the products in question. This law firm is not associated with, sponsored by, or affiliated with Johnson & Johnson Corporation or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.