A certain group of common type-2 diabetes medications have been linked to a number of severe side effects, which now includes bone fractures, according to recent studies.

More specifically, Invokana (Canaglifozin) has been linked to kidney damage, ketoacidosis, heart attacks, and decreased bone density.

According to clinical studies, two elderly type-2 diabetes patients who had been using Invokana and had suffered low bone density issues in their lower spines and hip bones. Even though bone density loss is a part of aging, this caused experts to take take greater notice into Invokana side effects and found startling results.

Experts found that Invokana can cause bone density loss as early as three months from starting the medication, with the risk of bone fractures most prominent in postmenopausal women. This recent study had been conducted as part of a post-marketing safety evaluation that involved over 700 patients.

According to statement issued by the FDA on Sept. 10, 2015, the additional data from the studies had confirmed that the risk of bone fractures were much higher in Invokana patients than patients prescribed placebos.

Additional data gathered from nine other clinical trials showed the same occurrence rate of bone fractures for Invokana patients, and trial participants had been taking Invokana an average of 85 weeks.

Overview of Invokana Bone Density Complications

Due to the results of this collective study, doctors will be given more specific information to safely prescribe Invokana. The FDA is now advising physicians to properly evaluate the risk of bone fractures in potential Invokana patients, and to also monitor patients for the risks of kidney failure or ketoacidosis.

The manufaturer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, has been allegedly aware of the potential dangers before Invokana was approved, causing major criticism to arise from the public and health experts alike.

Experts explain that Invokana and other SLGT2 inhibitors were rushed out to markets before being properly tested. Despite experts reportedly expressing serious concern over Invokana side effects, the FDA approved the drug for release on the condition that Janssen would be monitoring for any adverse event reports.

These sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce blood-sugar levels in patients by filtering excess sugar through urination. Along with diet and exercise, SGLT2 inhibitors would ideally allow patients to live a relatively normal life with minimal diabetic symptoms.

At the time these drugs were released, they were considered to be miracle treatment drugs to type-2 diabetes patients. This medication group includes, but is not limited to:

• Invokana (Canagliflozin)
• Invokamet (Canagliflozin and Metformin)
• Farxiga (Dapagliflozin)
• Xigduo XR (Dapagliflozin and Metformin Extended-Release)
• Jardiance (Empagliflozin)
• Glyxambi (Empagliflozin and Linagliptin)

Several of the drugs mentioned above have been reported for causing severe side effects, with patients complaining that the drugs lacked adequate warning labels. Legal experts explain that this is not entirely surprising, as pharmaceutical companies are almost at constant competition with each other.

The diabetic drug market is expected to reach over $55 billion by 2017, so there is very little incentive for drug companies to withhold the release of their products. Critics state that until federal regulations are willing to fight against big pharmaceutical companies, then adverse event reports can be expected for some time to come.