The growing number of reports involving side effects allegedly linked to Invokana and other diabetes medications have renewed concerns about the aggressive direct-to-consumer advertisements used by the makers of the controversial medications when they were first approved by the FDA.

The first SGLT2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter-2) inhibitor approved for consumer use in the United States was Invokana (canagliflozin) in March 2013. That was followed by Farxiga (dapagliflozin) in January 2014, Invokamet (canagliflozin/metformin) and Jardiance (empagliflozin) in August 2014, Xigduo XR (dapagliflozin/metformin) in October 2014, and Glyxambi (empagliflozin/linagliptin) in February 2015.

During the short time the new-generation diabetes medications have been on the market, they have become some of the best-selling treatments for type 2 diabetes, due in large part to direct-to-consumer advertisements the makers of the drugs have used to target diabetes patients.

Off-Label Marketing of Diabetes Medications

In a letter submitted to the FDA, the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen urged the agency to take action against direct-to-consumer advertisements for diabetic medications, specifically SGLT2 inhibitor drugs. The group argued the ads made deceptive and illegal claims about the safety and efficacy of the medications, including claims that the diabetes medications could be used as weight-loss products, even though they haven’t been approved for that purpose.

“By inflating the [SGLT2 inhibitor] drugs’ perceived benefits, the [direct-to-consumer] advertisements dangerously skew the risk-benefit calculations made by physicians and patients in deciding whether to initiate or continue these therapies,” the Public Citizen letter states. “This is especially likely to occur with a weight-loss claim targeted at overweight and obese Type 2 diabetics struggling with both their disease and weight.”

Although doctors are permitted to prescribe pharmaceutical drugs for off-label purposes when they deem the treatment safe and effective, drug companies are prohibited from promoting their medications for any uses that have not been approved by federal regulators.

Diabetes Medication and Kidney Failure Risk

In addition to a potential risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetes medications like Invokana and Farxiga have been tied to an increased risk of kidney failure, and in a recent report issued by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), the agency identified several red flags regarding SGLT2 inhibitors drugs and kidney toxicity complications.

Diabetic Medication Lawsuits

As type 2 diabetes patients across the country become aware of the serious side effects allegedly associated with Invokana and other new diabetes medications, product liability lawyers are reviewing potential Invokana, Farxiga and Jardiance lawsuits involving diabetic ketoacidosis and kidney failure injuries.

If you used Invokana or another type 2 diabetes medication and have been diagnosed with ketoacidosis or kidney failure, you may have grounds to file a diabetic medication lawsuit against the drug maker in order to pursue financial compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and emotional trauma.