Johnson & Johnson is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) consisting of Invokana lawsuits alleging adverse canagliflozin side effects. One of the most recent claims comes from a woman alleging she had to undergo a great toe amputation due to the adverse canagliflozin side effects.

Plaintiff Bonnie H. says she was prescribed both Invokana (canagliflozin) and Invokamet (canagliflozin metformin) for typical treatment purposes. Bonnie was prescribed Invokana and Invokamet in the spring of 2016 in order to minimize type-2 diabetes symptoms through glycemic control.

Combined with diet and exercise, Invokamet and Invokana were supposed to allow Bonnie live a more normal life by helping manage her type-2 diabetes.

Invokana and Invokamet are both SGLT2 inhibitor medications, which work by preventing blood sugar levels from getting too high. These medications work by signaling the kidneys to expel excess sugar through urination, in order to produce ideal insulin levels.

Overview of Canagliflozin Side Effects Allegations

Not long after Bonnie started the medications, she says she began experiencing canagliflozin side effects. Bonnie was hospitalized on Jan. 23, 2017, for a diabetic foot ulcer and osteomyelitis of her big toe in her right foot. Two days later, Bonnie underwent great toe amputation on her right foot and was discharged from the hospital a day later.

Bonnie alleges that she was not warned about canagliflozin side effects such as renal failure, chronic kidney damage, or the possible need for amputation.

Type-2 diabetes is one of the most prevalent health concerns of the 21st century, putting patients at risk for several major complications including lower limb amputation. Without treatment, type-2 diabetes can cause potential nerve damage and swelling in the lower legs and cause the need for removal.

Medications like Invokana and Invokamet are supposed to prevent the need for lower limb amputations and keeping blood sugar levels under control. Bonnie opted to file legal action, after discovering Johnson & Johnson may have known about the potentially dangerous canagliflozin side effects based on the recent FDA warning.

The FDA issued a public safety warning on May 16, 2017, stating that Invokana and Invokamet could increase the chances of lower limb amputation. The warning was issued after the agency analyzed the result of two large clinical trials, which showed amputation could be one of several canagliflozin side effects.

It has been alleged that Johnson & Johnson either knew or should have known about these problems, with others questioning the effectiveness of the type-2 diabetes medication. Bonnie is filing her Invokana lawsuit in MDL No. 2750, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar canagliflozin side effects. By joining an MDL, Bonnie’s claim will be streamlined through the litigation process and will avoid issues like conflicting rulings from different judges.

This Invokana Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-13598, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.