KJ McElrath  |  September 3, 2019

Category: Diabetes

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Do Farxiga and Jardiance cause amputations, and what are some other harmful side effects that result from taking these medications? These prescription drugs, as well as other medications in the same class, have all been linked to numerous injuries.

Personal injury lawyers have been investigating allegations of patients who have suffered the loss of a limb and other types of harm as well as evidence addressing the question of whether these side effects were known.

What Are Farxiga and Jardiance?

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) and Jardiance (empagliflozin) are part of a class of prescription medications known as SGLT2 inhibitors, or “gliflozin” drugs. Prescribed for glycemic control in patients with type-2 diabetes, drugs of this class work by interfering with the function of a specific protein, known as sodium glucose co-transporter 2.

Normally, SGLT2 is involved in the reabsorption of glucose (blood sugar) by the kidneys, which then re-releases it into the bloodstream as needed. Gliflozin drugs prevent this process; as a result, excess glucose is passed out of the body in the urine.

This class of drugs, which in the U.S. also includes Invokana (canagliflozin) and Steglatro (ertugliflozin), also appear to lower blood pressure and aid in weight loss.

What Is the Difference Between Farxiga and Jardiance?

While both Farxiga and Jardiance are members of the same class of medications and have similar mechanisms of action, there are some differences between the two. For example, Jardiance has been shown to help prevent cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke or heart failure in patients who have heart disease. It also appears to be more effective than Farxiga in lowering blood sugar levels.

Farxiga appears to cause elevated levels of phosphorus in the blood (hyperphosphatemia), which is common in patients with kidney disease and uncontrolled diabetes.

On the other hand, patients who take Jardiance are more likely to become dehydrated. Urinary tract and genital yeast infections also seem to be more of a problem with Jardiance patients. A reason for this has to do with its mechanism of action; by increasing the amount of glucose in the urine, it provides an ideal environment for bacteria. While this is also a problem with Farxiga patients, it is exacerbated with Jardiance because urination is more frequent.

Jardiance also interacts with insulin, diuretics and beta blockers used for the treatment of hypertension.

How Could Farxiga and Jardiance Cause Amputations?

Initially, it was believed that the elevated amputation risk was confined to Invokana. However, an observational study recently published in the British Medical Journal indicates that this particular side effect may extend to the entire class of medications. An extensive examination and analysis of medical records from Scandinavian hospitals strongly suggest that the amputation danger from taking Farxiga or Jardiance is 100 percent greater than that of taking gliptin drugs.

At the 2018 meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, French researchers presented the results of a study that linked a similar medication (Invokana) to impaired blood circulation in the feet and lower legs. The study was not conclusive and did not answer all the questions about the association between SGLT2 inhibitors and amputation risk. However, these drugs do have a diuretic effect; the use of diuretics is known to reduce the volume of blood (hypovolemia), which is a risk factor for lower limb amputation.

What Are Other Risks of Gliflozin Drugs?

Drugs of the SGLT2 inhibitor class have been linked to acidification of the blood (ketoacidosis), urinary tract infections, pancreatitis, kidney damage, cardiovascular issues, and osteoporosis, as well as a rare form of flesh-eating bacterial infection, known as Fournier’s Gangrene.

Were the Drug Manufacturers Aware of These Dangers?

In January of 2013, when the FDA was considering approval of the first gliflozin drug to be made available to U.S. patients, prominent physicians raised several concerns. Primary among these was an abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells that were noted in subjects during clinical trials.

In May of 2015, the FDA required all SGLT2 inhibitors to carry a black box warning after post marketing observations showed a number of serious side effects, including ketoacidosis, kidney damage and urinary tract infections. In August, 2018, a warning about Fournier’s Gangrene was added, based on reports of 12 cases over a five year period.

If you have been injured due to the way Farxiga and Jardiance cause amputations or have suffered some other side effect of one of these drugs, an experienced product liability lawyer can assist you in establishing a case and seeking compensation.

If you or a loved one experienced diabetes amputation after taking Jardiance or Farxiga, you may have a legal claim and may be eligible to seek compensation from the drug maker for your medical and other expenses. Fill out the form on this page now to see if you qualify!

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