For patients taking a popular diabetes drug, Invokana, taking popular anti-inflammatory medications at the same time could cause permanent kidney damage.

Invokana is a diabetes medications that belongs to a class of drugs known as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT 2) inhibitors. Invokana and other drugs in this class work by preventing glucose reabsorption back into the body. Instead, glucose is excreted in the urine, which lowers the blood glucose levels.

Invokana has been praised by physicians because it has been able to treat some patients who were unresponsive to other oral medications.

Combined with its ability to reduce blood sugar levels without causing hypoglycemia and reducing the likelihood of weight gain on the medication, its efficiency and apparent lack of side effects has made it a popular choice for diabetes treatment.

However, a recent study has found that Invokana renal injury can result if patients are also using NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen, which is found in over-the-counter remedies such as Advil and Aleve.

Invokana renal injury was also seen when patients were concurrently undergoing radio contrast studies or were dehydrated. The researchers from Israel stated that NSAID drugs, dehydration and radiocontrast studies should all be avoided while patients are taking Invokana.

The FDA has already warned physicians, patients and the medical community about the possibility of acute kidney injury.

This has been contrasted by information from a research study undertaken surrounding the drug Jardiance. The results of this study showed that the drug offered kidney protection on a long-term basis to patients. As can be imagined, this has caused confusion in the medical community.

A researcher in the most recent study thinks there may be an explanation for this seemingly conflicting news. In general, he believes that while the drug may offer kidney protection over the long term, specific circumstances may provoke Invokana renal injury, namely dehydration, radiocontrast agents, and NSAIDs.

The researchers also note that studies based on human and animal data have suggested that the condition diabetes itself is related to kidney damage.

The doctors conducting the research stated that specific biomarkers that can be measured in the urine can give the greatest prediction of potential Invokana renal injury.

The researchers concluded that until these specific biomarkers can be used to more accurately predict the risk of possible Invokana renal injury, they recommended that patients stopped taking SGLT 2 inhibitors like Invokana before they have any radiocontrast studies done.

They should avoid taking NSAID medications while they are being treated with Invokana and other SGLT 2 inhibitors.

Taking Legal Action Following Invokana Renal Injury

If you or a loved one has suffered from Invokana renal injury after being treated with the diabetes drug, you may be eligible to receive compensation from the manufacturer for your injury.

Plaintiffs who filed product liability lawsuits against drug manufacturers often claim that the drug makers failed to warn patients of all the potential side effects and often state that the drug was not safe enough to use.

Claimants can recover damages related to medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost earnings and earning capacity, loss of spousal companionship and more. An Invokana attorney can review your case and can provide you with a complimentary consultation to help you determine if taking legal action is right for you.