The Food and Drug Administration’s warning consumers about a class of type 2 diabetes medication called SGLT2 inhibitors. First approved back in 2013, these medications may cause patients to develop a serious condition called ketoacidosis in certain patients. Also known as DKA, it can result in hospitalization, coma, or even death. As a result, Invokana injury claims are steadily rising across the U.S.
Why Ketoacidosis Drives So Many Invokana Injury Claims
Ketoacidosis causes your body to produce excess ketones (blood acids). While somewhat typical among type 1 diabetes patients, DKA is considered rare in type 2 diabetics. So far, 20 patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors like Invokana needed emergency hospitalization for DKA. Families of victims who died from DKA-induced diabetic comas may seek justice from a wrongful death lawsuit. Worried you’ll slip into ketoacidosis without knowing it? Test yourself regularly at home with easy-to-use and cost-effective ketone strips.
Ketoacidosis Reports May Lead to Increased Invokana Injury Claims
Manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, Invokana is known generically as canagliflozin. It works by eliminating extra sugar through urine, which directly affects your kidneys. This brings glucose levels down safely for type 2 diabetes patients. However, it can have detrimental affects as well, according to court documents filed in Invokana injury claims.
According to Mayo Clinic, diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when ketone levels spike in a patient’s blood. Excessive ketones can occur if you’re unable to produce enough insulin. Without insulin, your body cannot convert blood sugars into usable energy, causing intense fatigue. Instead, your body burns fatty acids for energy, which then releases more ketones into your blood. These bodies build up over time, eventually causing diabetic ketoacidosis.
There are a number of causes of ketoacidosis, such as an illness that tampers with your normal level of hormones, missed diabetes treatments, high fever, cocaine use and intense stress. SGLT2 inhibitors are the newest addition to the list, as they are only used to treat Type 2 diabetes and can lower blood sugar to dangerous levels. Of particular concern is renal toxicity, which can cause issues like kidney failure, kidney stones, urinary tract infections and dehydration.
In June, the European Medicines Agency began a review of SGLT2 inhibitors to evaluate a patient’s risk when taking this drug as well. So far, they have reported 101 cases of diabetic ketoacidosis associated with SGLT2 inhibitors worldwide. What they found to be most alarming is that in these cases, patients rarely had elevated blood sugar levels, a hallmark of ketoacidosis.
According to Medscape, a Yale Diabetes Center physician said, “It’s a serious concern because it’s euglycemic asymptomatic diabetic ketoacidosis,” meaning it’s not entirely related to the patient’s blood sugar levels.
Symptoms To Watch For
Symptoms of ketoacidosis to keep an eye on include:
- Confusion
- Abdominal pain
- Trouble breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sleepiness
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Weakness
The FDA states that patients should pay close attention to ketoacidosis symptoms and seek medical attention if they experience any. While the drug has not been banned in the US or the U.K. yet, both countries are undergoing further investigation to see if changes need to be made to SGLT2 prescriptions.
Getting Free Legal Assistance With Invokana Injury Claims
Those who developed severe health complications while taking canagliflozin may qualify for compensation through Invokana injury claims. It’s a good idea to speak with someone who has experience with mass torts of this nature, as he or she will be able to help you be most successful as you move forward. Many people are now filing Invokana injury claims against drug manufacturers, so get your free case review online today!
Related:Invokana Lawsuit Information – SGLT2 Inhibitor Injury Claims
Lori Polemenakos is Director of Consumer Content and SEO strategist for LeadingResponse, a legal marketing company. An award-winning journalist, writer and editor based in Dallas, Texas, she's produced articles for major brands such as Match.com, Yahoo!, MSN, AOL, Xfinity, Mail.com, and edited several published books. Since 2016, she's published hundreds of articles about Social Security disability, workers' compensation, veterans' benefits, personal injury, mass tort, auto accident claims, bankruptcy, employment law and other related legal issues.