After being approved by the FDA in 2013, Invokana quickly became a popular treatment choice for doctors and patients in treating type II diabetes. One of the reasons for this is that the medication is effective in managing blood sugar levels without having to be used in combination with other diabetes medications, such as Metformin. The fact that it can be used alone makes Invokana convenient and thus an attractive treatment option. However, a number of dangerous side effects and injuries have been reported in connection with Invokana, including infections and gangrene. Many patients who have suffered from these side effects and injuries have filed Invokana lawsuits as a result.
How Does Invokana Work?
Our bodies naturally make insulin after we eat in order to process the sugar that has been released by the food. However, in a person with type II diabetes this natural process does not work on its own, and levels of sugar can build up and become dangerously high. In order to prevent this, patients with type II diabetes are generally treated with medication that reduces the amount of sugar made by the liver and helps the body respond better to its own insulin to keep sugars within a normal range.
Invokana falls into a new class of medications called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Instead of increasing insulin, Invokana works to control blood sugar levels by preventing the kidneys from reabsorbing sugar that has been released into the blood after food has been digested. The sugar is flushed out of the body in the urine. This new method is very effective in controlling the level of sugar in the blood, but can have very dangerous side effects.
What Side Effects Have Been Reported?
In the first year Invokana was on the market, over 450 reports of serious adverse side effects began to emerge. Many of these reports involved kidney failure, severe dehydration, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and abnormal weight loss. Another side effect that has recently been reported includes gangrene, also known as necrosis. This condition occurs when the tissue in certain parts of the body breaks down and does not heal properly. Necrosis can lead to serious infection, and in some cases, amputation of body parts may be needed. If left untreated, gangrene can even lead to death. It is important to understand the many serious side effects Invokana can have prior to treatment.
Contact an Experienced Invokana Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of taking the diabetes medication Invokana, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, among other losses. Our firm is working with experienced Invokana lawyers across the country, who are investigating these cases. They may be able to file an Invokana lawsuit for you, and they charge no fee unless you win an award or settlement. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call our toll free number at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out a contact form online.
Paul d’Oliveira
Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.
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