Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), Ketosis or Acidosis from Invokana

The Invokana lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are no longer pursuing additional cases for individuals who have been hospitalized due to ketoacidosis, ketosis, acidosis or other injuries caused by elevated acid levels in the blood after using the diabetes drug. 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.

Only two years after it was approved, the FDA identified an increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis from Invokana side effects, usually resulting in the need for hospitalization due to symptoms like:

  • Abdominal Pain, Nausea and Vomiting
  • Confusion, Fatique, Weakness or Shortness of Breath
  • Excessive Thirst
  • Urinating Frequently
  • Breath That Smells Fruity or Like Nail Polish Remover

As a result of the drug makers failure to adequately warn about these potentially serious health risks, financial compensation was pursued through an Invokana ketoacidosis lawsuit. However, new cases are no longer being accepted.

Invokana Diabetic Ketoacidosis Problems

Invokana (canagliflozin) is part of a new class of type 2 diabetes drugs distributed by Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen subsidiary, which works by lowering kidney functions to make the body pass more sugar through the urine. The class is known as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, and includes Invokana, Invokamet, Farixga, Jardiance, Glyxambi and Xigduo

Potential class action and individual injury lawsuits were pursued for individuals hospitalized due to:

  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis
  • Ketoacidosis
  • Acidosis
  • Ketosis
  • Elevated Blood Acid Levels

The FDA launched a safety investigation of Invokana and other SGLT2 inhibitors in May 2015, following a number of reports suggesting users were experiencing acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis or ketosis.

In December 2015, the FDA announced that it was requiring new Invokana ketoacidosis warnings, which now warn patients to stop using the drug immediately and seek medical assistance if they began experiencing signs of elevated blood acid levels.

The FDA indicated that at least 73 incidents of ketoacidosis or similar Invokana blood acid problems were identified among patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors between the release of the drug and May 2015. In every instance, the patient required either emergency treatment or hospitalization.

▸ Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) and Invokana

Ketoacidosis occurs when when molecules called ketone bodies build up in the blood, raising the blood’s acidity. These ketones are usually produced by the liver during fasting or low carbohydrate diets and are used by cells as energy as a replacement for glucose.

Although diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is commonly seen among individuals with type 1 diabetes, it is rarely experienced by type 2 diabetics, which is the only type of diabetes Invokana is approved to treat. Therefore, the FDA adverse events involving these Invokana ketosis problems stand out.

When there are too many ketone bodies in the blood for the cells to use, they begin to build up. The body tries to excrete them, which can lead to dehydration, hypotension and tachycardia, often requiring hospitalization and in some cases resulting in death.

Individuals taking Invokana can use home blood and urine tests to check if they are suffering from high ketone levels, which are the cause of ketoacidosis. If such levels are detected, or if users experience symptoms of ketoacidosis, the FDA warns that immediate medical treatment should be obtained.

▸ Invokana Hospital Treatment Due to Acidosis

Hospitalization is often necessary as a result of ketoacidosis from Invokana, due to severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dehydration or other symptoms that may be caused by a build up of acid in the blood.

Commonly diagnosed as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), ketosis or acidosis, the potential complications following Invokana require immediate medical treatment.

Patients are typically given fluids, electrolytes and, particularly in diabetics, insulin. This may also result in further risks from low blood sugar, low potassium, and swelling in the brain. However, if the condition is untreated, it can cause a loss of consciousness, coma or even wrongful death in severe cases.

According to allegations raised in Invokana lawsuits over ketoacidosis, failure to warn about the risks at the time the medication was introduced may have caused many users to suffer severe and potentially life-threatening health problems that may have been avoided by monitoring blood acid levels or choosing to use a different diabetes drug.

Similar allegations were also raised in amputation lawsuits, kidney failure lawsuits and heart attack lawsuits being pursued by former users who have experienced these other injuries linked to Invokana.

Invokana Ketoacidosis Lawyers

The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are no longer accepting new failure to warn lawsuits for individuals who have taken Invokana and been hospitalized for ketosis, ketoacidosis, or diabetic ketoacidosis. However, cases are still being evaluated for amputation injuries. This page is maintained for informational purposes only.