Recent research suggests that certain type-2 diabetes treatment drugs, like Invokana, may cause severe side effects in patients, including Invokana kidney failure, with the most extreme cases being potentially fatal.

Invokana is one of new class of type-2 diabetes treatment drugs known as sodium glucose contransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. SGLT2 inhibitors are unique in treating type-2 diabetes due to their treatment mechanism, which allows the body to excrete excess sugar through urination.

This means that these drugs interact directly with the kidneys to perform their function, which has led many experts to hypothesize about the causes of potential kidney or renal failure.

Invokana (Canagliflozin), released in 2013, is one of the most popular SGLT2 inhibitors. Combined with diet and exercise, ideally Invokana would help type-2 diabetes patients to maintain a healthy and longer life.

However, a number of patients have recently alleged that they had suffered Invokana kidney failure and other Invokana problems.

Invokana Kidney Failure Concerns

According to a May 2015 QuarterWarch report from the Institute of Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), Invokana’s first year on the market resulted in numerous patient reported injuries. Many of these injury reports consisted of Invokana renal failure, or Invokana kidney complications.

In total, 457 injury reports of Invokana problems were examined that had all cited Invokana kidney injuries, urinary tract infections, and yeast infections. Of these cases, the ISMP report identified 54 cases of Invokana kidney failure or severe kidney damage.

The study stated that the result was not surprising as the drug works directly with the kidneys, making Invokana kidney failure a distinct possibility. The study also pointed out that several studies using rats had observed that kidney complications and that Invokana actually increased the weight and dilatation of the kidneys, pelvis, and bladder.

Despite these studies, there has been no definitive link proven between Invokana and kidney failure, but physicians are being cautioned in prescribing Invokana without thoroughly evaluating the patient.

In December 2015, the FDA also released their own concerns regarding potential Invokana kidney failure. The FDA issued a statement that new warnings will be added to the drug’s warning label to address the new Invokana problems, and that patients should seek immediate medical attention if they exhibit any symptoms of urinary tract infection.

This condition could be a symptom of Invokana renal failure or other Invokana kidney problems. Other symptoms of Invokana kidney failure include: chest pain, decreased urination, nausea, seizures, and legs or ankles swelling.

Invokana manufacturers Johnson & Johnson, and subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals, allegedly knew of this complication but failed to warn patients and the medical community.

This has spurred numerous Invokana patients to file legal action against the pharmaceutical giant, for failing to protect them against Invokana kidney failure. Potential claimants should contact a specialized lawyer, to determine if they have a lawsuit.