Necrotizing fasciitis is a dangerous, flesh-eating disease. Though rare, it’s important to recognize the symptoms and potential causes so it can be caught and treated as soon as possible to avoid death.

What is Necrotizing Fasciitis?

Also known as Fournier’s gangrene, necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly-spreading bacterial infection that can begin with a simple break in the skin. It quickly spreads into deep layers of skin and tissues (the fascia), as well as muscle and fat tissue. The bacteria release toxins and can lead to shock and even organ failure.

In a few days, the infection enters the bloodstream and the person becomes extremely ill, suffering from a high temperature and very low blood pressure, which may cause loss of consciousness.

Is Necrotizing Fasciitis Deadly?

Unfortunately, necrotizing fasciitis can be fatal. Even with treatment, up to 1 in every 3 people can die from the infection, according to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. Each year, between 700 and 1,100 cases of Fournier’s gangrene are reported to the CDC. Immediate medical attention and antibiotic treatment for this condition is necessary to avoid fatality.

What are Common Necrotizing Fasciitis Symptoms?

Symptoms of this dangerous, flesh-eating infection include inflammation, fever, blisters, and swelling or crackling under the skin. Patients with this infection may also experience confusion, dehydration, diarrhea and vomiting, skin changing color to violet, areas of tissue turning black and dying, and intense pain. Eventually, the gangrene kills the nerve endings in the infected area and this intense pain will lessen.

Can Diabetes Drugs Cause Necrotizing Fasciitis?

Cases of necrotizing fasciitis have been associated with the use of a certain class of diabetes drugs known as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, such as Jardiance. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a warning about this risk in August 2018. Other type-2 diabetes drugs that may be linked with necrotizing fasciitis include Jardiance, Invokana, Farxiga, and more other SGLT2 inhibitors.

Filing a Diabetes Drug Necrotizing Fasciitis Lawsuit

More and more SGLT2 diabetes drug users are filing lawsuits, alleging that they were not given adequate warning of the serious complications linked with these drugs, including necrotizing fasciitis (Fournier’s gangrene).

If you or someone you love has suffered from necrotizing fasciitis or other complications after using Jardiance or another SGLT2 inhibitor, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by these complications, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Pursuing litigation can be complicated and overwhelming, but Top Class Actions has done some of the work for you by connecting you with an experienced diabetes drug attorney. Consulting a lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of litigation and maximize your compensation.

Join a Free Diabetes Medications & Flesh-Eating Infection Lawsuit Investigation

The type-2 diabetes medications linked to the flesh-eating infection include:

• Invokana
• Invokamet/Invokamet XR
• Farxiga
• Xigduo XR
• Qtern
• Jardiance
• Glyxambi
• Synjardy/Synjardy XR
• Steglato
• Segluromet
• Steglujan

If you or a loved one took one of the type-2 diabetes medications listed above and suffered from a flesh-eating genital infection, you may qualify to join this diabetes medication lawsuit investigation. Fill out the FREE form on this page for more information.

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