Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals are facing a growing Invokana MDL, or multidistrict litigation, asserting product liability claims alleging that the medication caused serious kidney problems.

One of the most recent claims to join the Invokana MDL comes from a West Virginia woman alleging the medication permanently worsened her medical condition. Plaintiff Odessa A. was prescribed Invokana to treat her type-2 diabetes, which was typical for the drug’s treatment purposes.

Odessa agreed to Invokana treatment therapy after discussing the option with her physician and reviewing Johnson & Johnson’s marketing materials. Odessa began taking Invokana in September 2014 and stayed on the drug until November 2015.

According to the Invokana MDL lawsuit, Odessa only used the medication according to prescription instructions and followed her physician’s advice. Even with this diligence, Odessa still developed diabetic ketoacidosis.

Odessa opted to join the Invokana MDL after learning that numerous other patients developed diabetic ketoacidosis, allegedly as a result of using the type-2 diabetes medication.

Overview of Invokana Ketoacidosis Risk

Invokana is a popular type-2 diabetes medication that was approved by the FDA in March 2013 and has since been prescribed to numerous patients. Invokana is a part of the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (“SGLT2”) inhibitor drug family, which is intended to help patients manage their blood sugar levels.

These medications work by preventing the body from reabsorbing sugar and signaling the kidneys to expel the excess sugar through urination. This requires the medication works directly with the kidneys, which may create the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when the body produces inadequate amounts of insulin necessary for the metabolic process. Without enough insulin, the body cannot metabolize sugar and instead metabolizes fat. This causes a buildup of ketones, or blood acids.

Elevation of blood acidity is an extremely dangerous condition that puts a patient at risk of coma and possibly death.

The FDA issued a drug safety warning in May 2015, warning that SGLT2 inhibitor medications “may lead to ketoacidosis, a serious condition where the body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones that may require hospitalization.”

Even though this side effect is potentially deadly for patients, Johnson & Johnson allegedly failed to warn the general public of the risks. This spurred the Invokana MDL after it was discovered numerous Invokana patients had developed similar injuries.

Odessa and other claimants allege the company did not warn them about the risk of ketoacidosis, nor provide them with any relevant studies. Odessa’s claim is joining the Invokana MDL No. 2750, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries.  By joining the Invokana MDL, Odessa will hopefully avoid a long wait time for litigation progression and avoid conflicting rulings from different judges.

This Invokana Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-07516-BRM-LHG, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.