Invokana Injury Risk May Have Been Avoided With Stronger Warnings

Harvey Kirk

By Harvey Kirk
Posted November 3, 2015

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The Invokana injury attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are investigating potential lawsuits for individuals throughout the United States as a result of the drug makers’ failure to provide adequate warnings about the risk that users may suffer:

  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis
  • Kidney Failure
  • Heart Problems
  • Fractures

Since Invokana was introduced in March 2013 as a new-generation diabetes treatment that works in a different way to treat type 2 diabetes, it has been linked to a steady stream of emerging health concerns. However, it now appears that the Invokana warnings failed to provide to consumers and the medical community with sufficient information about the diabetes drug.

If users had been warned about the importance of monitoring for signs and symptoms of the Invokana injury risks, many serious and potentially life-threatening health problems may have been avoided.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis Warning

The risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) was not discovered by the public until May 2015, when the FDA issued a drug safety communication to indicate that it had received at least 20 reports of the users experiencing a build up of acid levels in the blood during the first 15 months the drug was on the market.

All of the cases reported by the FDA were so severe that the users required hospitalization or emergency room treatment. While the FDA is still reviewing whether to require an update to the Invokana warning label, it appears likely that the drug maker knew or should have known about this risk from clinical trials before the medication was approved or from post-marketing surveillance.

Had the ketoacidosis injury risks from Invokana been made known to the medical community or patients, doctors could have prescribed a different drug or at least made sure that users looked out for signs of the serious diabetes complication, which can include:

  • Respiratory Problems
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Confusion or Cognitive Problems
  • Unusual Fatigue or Sleepiness

Kidney Failure Injury Risk

It appears that the potential Invokana kidney injury risk also should have been discovered or suspected before the medication was introduced, as the mechanism of action works by inhibiting some of the body’s normal renal functions.

According to a report (PDF) issued by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) in May 2015, there were at least 457 serious adverse event reports were linked to Invokana during the months after it was released. Many of those reports involved kidney failure, kidney impairment or other kidney problems.

The ISMP report noted that the drug specifically targets certain normal kidney functions, allowing more sugar to be passed from the body through urine, raising questions as to why strong label warnings about the potential kidney failure risks were not included with the initial launch of Invokana.

Many cases of kidney failure and wrongful death among Invokana users may have been avoided if the medical community had been informed about the importance for monitoring for symptoms of problems, such as:

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

Invokana Injury Lawsuits

The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, are reviewing potential Invokana injury claims for individuals who have suffered kidney failure or diabetic ketoacidosis during use of this medication.

It appears the manufacturer placed profit ahead of patient safety and failed to adequately warn users or the medical community about these risks, or failed to adequately research their drug before placing it on the market.

Similar claims are also being reviewed for users of other medications that are part of the same new class of diabetes drugs, including Invokamet lawsuits, Farxiga lawsuits, Xigduo XR lawsuits, Jardiance lawsuits and Glyxambi lawsuits.

To find out if you, a friend or a family member may be entitled to pursue an Invokana injury settlement, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

All claims are handled by our Invokana attorneys on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no fees unless a recovery is obtained and never any out-of-pocket costs to hire a lawyer.

CONTACT OUR LAWYERS ABOUT AN INVOKANA INJURY

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