Invokana and Invokamet

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that a new class of Type 2 diabetes medications, including Johnson & Johnson’s popular Invokana, can cause ketoacidosis.  Ketoacidosis is a serious condition where the body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones that may require hospitalization. The medications may also increase the risk of leg and foot amputations.

The new class of medications are called sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. They work by causing blood sugar to leave the body through urine.

The FDA has issued warnings for the following SGLT2 medications:

  • Invokana (canagliflozin)
  • Invokamet (canagliflozin and metformin)
  • Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
  • Xigduo XR (dapagliflozin and metformin extended-release)
  • Jardiance (empagliflozin)
  • Glyxambi (empagliflozin and linagliptin)

Background

When the FDA approved Invokana in 2013, there were already concerns about the drug’s safety. Johnson & Johnson’s own experts found that, in a clinical study of patients at a high risk of heart disease, 13 suffered heart attacks or strokes within 30 days of beginning Invokana. Similar drugs had been denied approval in other countries because of the safety risks.  Despite this, the FDA approved the drug but did not require any warning about heart attacks or strokes on the label. Although the FDA did not approve the drug for weight loss, much of the advertising for Invokana has prominently featured weight loss as a benefit to taking the drug.

Dangerous side effects

The most serious potential side effects, problems and risks caused through the use Invokana and other SGLT2 inhibitors are:

  • Heart attack
  • Kidney Damage, including kidney failure 
  • Ketoacidoses
  • Leg or foot amputations

We can help

If you or someone you care about suffered one of these injuries while taking Invokana or any other SGLT2 inhibitor, contact Brown and Crouppen today for a free and confidential case evaluation.  We can help you make informed decisions about your legal rights, so please call us at Toll-Free: 800-536-4357 for your free legal consultation or save time with our online Contact Form.