Paul Tassin  |  May 5, 2016

Category: Legal News

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diabetic medication invokanaReports of possible Invokana side effects, including ketoacidosis, have led to additional warning labels for a new class of diabetes medications.

Invokana is a brand name for canagliflozin, a relatively new diabetes medication. It’s in a class of diabetes medications called SGLT-2 inhibitors and is approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes but not for type 1.

The medication works mainly by preventing glucose from being reabsorbed into the blood after it has passed through the kidneys. SGLT-2 is a protein that normally causes glucose to reenter the blood after the kidneys have taken it out.

By inhibiting the action of SGLT-2, Invokana causes more of that glucose to be excreted in the urine.

In addition to preventing reabsorption of glucose, SGLT-2 inhibitors, like Invokana, increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin, making muscle cells draw more glucose out of the blood.

The drug also reduces the production of new glucose and support the release of insulin from beta cells.

Invokana Side Effects

Reports filed with the FDA suggest that Invokana side effects may include ketoacidosis, a potentially deadly blood condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Ketoacidosis occurs when the balance of acidity in the blood is upset by an increase in compounds called ketones. Ketones are a by-product generated when cells burn fat instead of sugar to get energy.

Signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis can develop rapidly. Typical symptoms include a fruity smell on the breath, excessive thirst, frequent urination, nausea and vomiting, and shortness of breath. Ketoacidosis is considered a serious medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.

Ketoacidosis Causes

Typical diabetic ketoacidosis occurs in type 1 diabetics due to a lack of insulin. The lack of insulin prevents cells from absorbing sugar out of the blood. The cells then resort to metabolizing fat, while blood sugar levels remain high.

Other circumstances besides diabetes can be ketoacidosis causes. Sometimes an infection or other illness can upset the balance of hormones like adrenalin or cortisol in a way that counters the effect of insulin.

But ketacidosis that results from Invokana side effects is not typical diabetic ketoacidosis. These patients generally suffer from type 2 diabetes instead of type 1, and their blood sugar is not necessarily high when ketoacidosis strikes.

The FDA has addressed this risk by adding a warning to Invokana’s label. In a safety announcement issued in December 2015, the agency said a review of records in its adverse event reporting system from March 2013 to June 6, 2014 revealed 73 cases of ketoacidosis in diabetes patients who had been treated with SGLT2 inhibitors like Invokana.

In all those cases, the patients required hospitalization or emergency treatment, the agency said. Correct recognition of the condition was delayed in some cases because the patients had exhibited blood sugar levels lower than those normally seen in conjunction with diabetic ketoacidosis.

The delayed diagnosis resulted in a delay of urgent treatment, according to the FDA.

In general, diabetes medication lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.

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If you or a loved one suffered ketoacidosis or kidney failure after taking Invokana, Invokamet, Farxiga, Xigduo XR, Jardiance or Glyxambi, you may have a legal claim. See if you qualify to pursue compensation and join a free diabetes medication class action lawsuit investigation by submitting your information for a free case evaluation.

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