Invokana Kidney Failure Lawyers No Longer Accepting New Cases

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. previously pursued potential product liability lawsuits for individuals who experienced kidney or renal failure on Invokana. The new generation diabetes drug was linked to a surprisingly large number of reports involving renal damage or other kidney problems, which may develop after switching medications. New cases are no longer being accepted. This page is maintained for informational purposes only.

RELATED CASES: Potential Invokana lawsuits are still being evaluated for individuals who have experienced amputation problems following use of this similar diabetes drug.

Invokana (canagliflozin) was introduced in March 2013, and quickly grew to become a widely used treatment for type 2 diabetes. However, concerns have emerged about whether inadequate warnings were provided about the link between side effects of Invokana and kidney failure, as it appears that the drug maker withheld critical safety information.

Potential Invokana kidney failure lawsuits were reviewed to determine if users may be entitled to financial compensation as a result of the drug maker’s failure to adequately research this new medication or provide proper warnings for consumers and the medical community. Additional cases are no longer being accepted.

Invokana Kidney Side Effects

Invokana was the first member of a new class of type 2 diabetes drugs, known as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Other members of this new class include Invokamet, Farixga, Jardiance, Glyxambi and Xigduo

SGLT2 diabetes drugs work by impacting certain normal kidney functions, allowing more sugar to be passed from the body through urine. As a result, questions are being raised about why the risk of certain Invokana kidney problems were not anticipated by the drug maker and warned about before the medication was ever introduced.

In May 2015, an independent report (PDF) by the Institute of Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) highlighted concerns about the potential link between Invokana and kidney damage.

The group reviewed adverse event reports submitted to the FDA during the first year Invokana was on the market and identified more than 457 incidents of serious problems. These included many that suggested signals of renal toxicity, including:

  • Kidney Failure
  • Impaired Renal Functions
  • Kidney Stones
  • Dehydration
  • Urinary Tract Infections
  • Hypersensitivity

In December 2015, the FDA issued a drug safety communication announcing that new warnings will be added to Invokana and other SGTL2 inhibitor diabetes drugs. The federal drug regulators indicated that patients should seek immediate medical assistance if they showed signs of a urinary tract infection, as this could be an indication of a more dangerous blood or kidney infection that could lead to kidney failure and even death.

According to allegations raised in kidney failure lawsuits pursued by users nationwide, the drug makers withheld important information from consumers and the medical community, which prevented them from making an informed decision about whether to use Invokana. Similar allegations were raised in diabetic ketoacidosis lawsuits and amputation lawsuits filed against the drug maker.

New cases are only being reviewed at this time for failure to warn about the risk of Invokana amputation problems. This page is maintained for informational purposes only.

Kidney Failure on Invokana

Acute kidney failure results in the kidneys being unable to properly filter waste from your blood. This can lead to a dangerous build-up of wastes in the blood, leading to health problems and even death.

Symptoms of kidney failure can include:

  • Chest Pain
  • Confusion
  • Drowsiness
  • Decreased Urine Output
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Seizures or Coma
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Swelling of Legs, Ankles and Feet

Damage to the kidneys may become permanent in some cases, requiring kidney dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant. If the injury goes untreated, or is not caught in a timely manner, it can lead to death. Other treatments, before kidney failure becomes permanent, can include medications aimed at controlling blood potassium levels, medication to restore calcium levels, and temporary hemodialysis treatments.

It appears that the number of cases involving acute or unspecified renal failure with Invokana were widely under-reported, likely only representing a small fraction of the total number of problems experienced by users of the drug.

Invokana Kidney Lawyers

If more detailed warnings about the risk of Invokana renal problems had been provided to users and the medical community, it is likely that many severe injuries may have been avoided. As a result, financial compensation was pursued through an Invokana class action lawsuit or individual injury claim for those diagnosed with kidney failure. New cases are no longer being accepted. This page is maintained for informational purposes only.